Developmental psychology/Chapter 12/Habits

• Excersise - Reduces depression and cholesterol incidents/obvious health benefits (hearts and lungs promoted): "secret for youth"; strengthens the immune system. This is more important than just focusing on weight as it emphasizes healthy habits.
• Drugs - Many adults (25yrs-65yrs) take at least one prescription drug. Increased age comes with probable wisdom in regards to drug intake. Smoking was a glorified act, even being adopted by women at high rates for a certain period - but now we're able to see the negative effects of smoking, it has drastically reduced in comparison between the 1960s and 2010s.
• Alcohol - Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful and may lead to alcohol use disorder (causes liver damage, many cancers; destroys families). The risk of death is increased for young adults.
• Opioid Abuse - Although prescription drugs are beneficial, drug abuse decreases in adulthood, and alcohol abuse has decreased in educated adults, opioid abuse has been increasing over the years in 22-44yrs. This usually begins with prescribed medicine. Awareness of how to prevent opioid abuse rather than shame/blame on the abuser and other party members (doctors, pharmacies, community/culture) is a similar approach that has reduced smoking.
• Nutrition - Metabolism decreases, digestion is harder: nutrition is very important. Consequences of excess body fat are almost every chronic disease. Diabetes cause problems all over the body. Type 1 diabetes is genetic, while type 2 diabetes is partially genetic. Being obese has social effects (rejected as marital partners/friends), mental effects (depression), and obvious physical effects (increased risk of chronic diseases). People with higher SES tend to have better health, maybe because of more money --> more education --> improved health.