Health Behavior

Jasmine Fields

Columbia Southern University

Health Behavior PUH 5304

Dr. Williams

October 18. 2022

Health Behaviors that Promote Diabetes in Columbus Georgia

There are several contributing factors that can lead to the development of diabetes. These factors vary from region to region, with each region having its unique combination of factors contributing to a growing number of diabetes patients. Columbus has several risk factors that promote diabetes. Many of these factors are related to weight gain and obesity, one of the key contributors to obesity.

Weight gain leads to the creation of hormones, NEFA, glycerol, and other substances that lead to the development of insulin resistance (Georgia Department of Public Health, 2020). This then leads to the development of diabetes. Georgia has seen a steady increase in obesity. According to America’s Health Rankings (2022), the state had 10% of its population living with obesity in 1990. The number has increased steadily, and as of 2020, 35% of Georgians are obese. The high number of obese individuals means more people are at risk of contracting diabetes, which is a concern.

Figure 1: race and obesity Figure 2: obesity and education

Figure 3: Obesity and Age

Obesity levels in Georgia majorly affect the target population. It is mostly an issue for African Americans above 18 and those without good conditions. Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3 show the graphical distribution of obesity based on race, education, and age. The trends in Wyntonn are reflective of this, as it shows that weight gain and obesity is a health behavior that influences diabetes. The following health behaviors help to promote diabetes through weight gain and obesity.

Poor Dietary Choices

Diet is a huge contributor to the development of diabetes. A diet high in cholesterol and saturated fats raises the levels of triglycerides, which increases the chances of diabetes (Georgia Department of Public Health, 2020). A poor diet also leads to an increase in weight gain, which increases the chances of diabetes. Diet is heavily influenced by financial status. Research shows that individuals from poor backgrounds are more likely to have poor dietary choices when compared to those that are not. This is because fatty foods are cheaper when compared to nutritious foods. This has led to an increase in diabetes rates among the poor. This case is especially true for Wynnton, which has one of the highest poverty rates in Georgia (City Data, 2022). This means that due to their financial strains, residents in Wyntonn and others facing a similar plight are forced to contend with poor dietary choices (Georgia Department of Public Health, 2020). The evidence of this is the small number of grocery stores in these areas.

Sedentary Lifestyle

Physical inactivity is the norm in Georgia. In 2020, 28.5% of Georgians reported that they were physically inactive. This means that one in four Georgians is likely to be physically inactive, which can be a high contributor to the rise of diabetes in the state. This is because most Georgians have sedentary jobs and long commutes, so they spend most of their time seated down. Many Georgians also do not prioritize physical activities or do not have the resources to get access to facilities such as the gym. This sedentary lifestyle is a reason for the increase in weight gain, which inevitably increases the chance of diabetes.

Tobacco Use

Smoking tobacco has been directly linked to an increased risk of diabetes. Individuals who smoke are 30-40% more likely to develop diabetes than non-smokers. As of 2020, 15.8% of Georgian adults smoked, which increased the chances of these adults developing diabetes (Truth Initiative, 2022). Smoking is also high among residents from low economic status, such as Wynton. Aside from promoting weight gain, tobacco helps to increase blood sugar levels in the blood, increasing the chances of diabetes. This makes why smoking is a health behavior that promotes diabetes.

Impacts of Sociological Model on These Health Behaviors

Human beings are a social species, and society significantly impacts their actions. Healthy behaviors are also affected by society. The sociological model provides a perspective upon which the effects of various aspects of society can be analyzed.

The social sphere of society has an immense impact on health behaviors that determine diabetes. One of the social sphere's negative impacts is the inheritance of poor health habits. For example, research shows that children from families who smoke are more likely to become smokers. This helps to propagate the spread of the behavior. This inheritance of bad habitsunhealthy habits is not tied to smoking alone, as other unhealthy habits can also be imparted to the younger generation. For example, societies that are more tolerant of obesity are more likely to encourage the consumption of unhealthy foods and weight gain, which can have immense impacts on society. This shows that there is a psychological connection between unhealthy behavior and society.

Culture also has a huge impactsignificant impact on health behavior. Culture aids in keeping negative behaviors for generations which helps to increase their occurrence over time. This is clearest regarding weight gain and obesity. An example of this application is the promotion of weight gain and obesity. Due to the change in culture and perspective toward obesity and weight gain, there has been a growth in obesity in Georgia over time. This is because the culture of promoting habits that increase obesity rates has slipped into Georgia, and the evidence of this is in the rise of cases of obesity, as demonstrated by figure 1. This has led to an increase in diabetes numbers.

However, it is essential to note that while society's cultural and societal features have had a negative impact on health behaviors, they can be used as credible tools in the battle against diabetes. A good example is developing policies impacting society and culture that aim to reverse the norms. Stakeholders can help change societal norms by promoting physical exercise, anti-smoking campaigns, and better diets. This can help reduce the rate of diabetes in society.

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