Answer to Question #272398 in Psychology for Lambertini

Question

Consider population-level interventions that aim to achieve health-related behavior change (mass media, financial incentives, etc.) along with everything you learned this week about behavior change. What do you think would be the most effective plan or method for improving health-related behavior at the population level? Write your recommendations along with your reasoning supported by at least one of the readings. Feel free to also include your own innovative ideas for achieving population-level health.

The Learning Journal entry should be a minimum of 400 words and not more than 750 words. Use APA citations and references if you use ideas from the readings or other sources.

Answer 1

Healthy living is a lifelong journey. Many of the most important behaviors are formed in early childhood and must be reinforced throughout adulthood. Young children should engage in fun, active play on a daily basis; schools should ensure that physical activity is a normal part of daily life; parents should participate in physical activity at work, at home, or both, and include their children; and elders should be encouraged to stretch, move, and improve their strength. Children who understand and model healthy habits will pass those signals on to their parents. They can promote healthy eating (and perhaps not bug parents about eating unhealthy foods! ), encourage parents to quit smoking for the benefit of their children, and encourage parents to engage in exciting active activities rather than more screen time. As a result, the family unit with young children can become a powerful force for maintaining a healthier lifestyle.