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Healthy living and choice (title tbc)
Healthy living and choice (title tbc)

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1 Quantitative research and the body mass index

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Figure 2 The social determinants of health (adapted from Dahlgren and Whitehead, 1991, cited in Dahlgren and Whitehead, 2021)
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A drawing that overall is semi-circular in shape with a single circular image in the centre. From this central image are four emanating layers, each containing slightly larger rainbow-shaped areas. The second, third and fifth layers each contain one continuous section. The fourth layer is divided into eight sections. The central image is an abstract representation of a range of people. Under this are the words ‘Age, sex and constitutional factors’. In the next rainbow-shaped layer are the words ‘Individual lifestyle factors’. The third layer contains the words ‘Social and community networks’. Working from a clockwise direction, the fourth layer lists living and working conditions that are relevant to people’s lives: ‘Agriculture and food production’, ‘Education’, ‘Work environment’, ‘Living and working conditions’, ‘Unemployment’, ‘Water and sanitation’, ‘Healthcare services’ and ‘Housing’. In the final rainbow-shaped layer are the words ‘General socioeconomic, cultural and environmental conditions’.

Figure 2 The social determinants of health (adapted from Dahlgren and Whitehead, 1991, cited in Dahlgren and Whitehead, 2021)

Health and wellbeing are influenced by many aspects of our everyday lives. The food we eat, how active we are, the amount of sleep we get, and the ways we manage stress can all play a role. While lifestyle is often linked to personal choices, our behaviours are also shaped by a range of social, environmental and economic factors. In this section, you’ll reflect on your own lifestyle and explore how researchers study the relationship between lifestyle and health, including how lifestyle factors can contribute to obesity.