Health Promotion Strategies and Campaigns for Reducing Obesity in Teenagers

This assignment explores the effects of socioeconomic influences on health, relevance of government sources in reporting health inequalities, barriers to accessing healthcare, and strategies for promoting healthy living. It also includes a case study on health beliefs of teenagers and a health promotion campaign to reduce obesity.

Health Promotion
Unit 29

Table of Contents
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................3
Task 1- Essay....................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Explaining the effects of socioeconomic influences on health.........................................4
1.2 Assessing the relevance of government sources in reporting on inequalities in health..6
1.3 Discuss the reasons for barriers to accessing healthcare.................................................8
Task 2 – Case Study........................................................................................................................10
3.3 Explain the importance of Ayesha providing relevant health-related information to the
public.........................................................................................................................................10
2.3 Explaining how the health beliefs of teenagers governing their food consumption and
physical activity relate to theories of health behaviour............................................................11
3.1 Discussing how the role of routine in promoting their healthy living will be incorporated
into Ayesha’s health promotion campaign................................................................................13
3.2 Discussing the potential conflicts that Ayesha will encounter with the local fast food
industry on health promotion...................................................................................................14
Task 3 – Report..............................................................................................................................15
2.1 Analyzing the links between government strategies and models of health promotion.....15
2.2. Explaining the role of professionals has in meeting government targets for health
promotion..................................................................................................................................16
Task 4 – Individual Project.............................................................................................................17
4.1 Select and plan a health promotion campaign that meets specific health and social care
objectives...................................................................................................................................17
4.2 Explaining how that health promotion campaign supports health promotion strategies..19
Conclusion......................................................................................................................................20
1

References.....................................................................................................................................21
2

Introduction
Social health is considered to be as the major concern in any of the countries and there are
many organizations that are contributing to the health promotion. The main aim of this
assignment is to draw a proper understanding of the influences on the health in the modern
society. Also, the factors that are responsible for affecting the health strategies that are made
at the national and regional are also highlighted in this assignment. These strategies are made
to promote health among the local communities of a particular area and are overlooked by the
government of that area. The key issues and factors those are helpful in preventing the local
communities with poor health outcomes. Proper planning, strategizing, implementation and
promotion of health strategies are explained in this assignment along with the conflicts arise
between the local communities and the health promotion.
3

Task 1- Essay
1.1 Explaining the effects of socioeconomic influences on health
Introduction
There are many factors that are responsible for affecting the health of individuals and
communities and sometimes these factors combine to create major issues. The considerable
impacts on the health are created by the some of the factors like the place where the person is
living, environment, genetics, income, education level and the relationship with the other
people (Kumar, Kroon and Lalloo, 2014). These factors are the social-economic factors that are
affecting the health to a great extent. The chief health determinants include the social, physical
and economic environment along with the individual characteristics and behaviour of a person.
Following are some of the socio-cultural factors among them:
 Income and social status: the higher income and social status are some of the basic
parameters that are linked to better health.
 Education: awareness of the health issues and problem comes only when the person is
educated, other than this, if the person is having low education level, then they are
more stressed and have low self-confidence.
 Employment and working condition: the people who are having their control on the
working conditions are healthier even if they are employed or working.
 Physical environment: it is also helpful in contributing to a good health. A safe and clean
environment including air, water, houses and the other entire physical environment is
promoting a better health of people.
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 Genetics: many of the health issues occur due to the genetic problem as inheritance is
playing a major part in deciding the lifespan and healthiness of a person.
 Personal behaviour and skills: the health is highly affected by the personal behaviour
like the smoking and drinking habits of a person, how he is dealing with stress in his life,
his balanced eating habits, his activeness etc.
 Health services: the access and use of health services that are provided to the local
communities for preventing and treatment of diseases are also affecting the health.
 Gender: The types of diseases in men and women are different and different diseases
are occurring in different age groups in both of them.
 Social support networks: if the person is having a good support from the family
members, friends and other communities, then they are linked to better health.
(World Health Organization, 2018)
5

1.2 Assessing the relevance of government sources in reporting on
inequalities in health
The government of every country is playing a major role in measuring and evaluating the level
of health of the local communities in that country. The government is planning many activities
for creating a better physical environment and to promote good health facilities to the local
people. The government and their representatives are responsible for making right decisions
about organizing various health campaigns in the country which will promote health education
among the local communities (Sommers et al., 2015).
Figure 1: government sources in reporting on inequalities in health
[Source: http://www.health-inequalities.eu/about-hi/introduction/]
Following are the main government sources through which the health inequalities’ information
can be collected easily:
Community Health Research Foundation and Agencies: Public researchers are the major focus
of these foundations and agencies. The data and information that are collected on various
aspects of health and safety are compared to them continuously (Brownson, Colditz and
Proctor, 2017).
6

Government’s Public Health and Administration Department: This is one of the special
department or division of the government which is dedicated to determining the health and
safety of the local communities (Betancourt et al., 2016).
Public Hospitals and Medical Services: the records of patients and their diseases are also kept
by the public hospitals that are under the government and dedicated to treating a large number
of poor people (Stevens, 2017).
Enquiry Surveys and Health and Lifestyle Surveys: governmental surveys, private surveys or
individual surveys are undertaken by various people in order to collect the information about
the lifestyles and ways of living of the local communities in a particular area. This is also helpful
in determining the inequalities in health that are caused by the lifestyle of people (Filha et al.,
2016).
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1.3 Discuss the reasons for barriers to accessing healthcare
As discussed above, there are many factors under the socio-cultural environment that are
influencing the health of local communities. Some of the other barriers to assessing the
healthcare are listed below:
Figure 2: barriers to assessing healthcare
[Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Perceived-general-health-status-of-
respondents-by-country-compared-with-those-of-the_fig6_236209120]
Education level: education is playing a major role in assessing the healthcare facilities and even
in leading a good and healthy life. This is because, if the person is educated, he is aware of the
negative consequences of the drinking, smoking and other issues like early age pregnancies,
which are the major factors in influencing the health of people. Other than this, if the person is
well educated, he is aware of avoiding the habits that are affecting the health. In case of
suffering from major health issues, he will go for proper treatment and can easily assess the
healthcare facilities (Eide et al., 2015).
8

Social environment: there are many factors in the social environment that are creating barriers
to assessing the healthcare services in people's life. These factors are hampering the present
health status of the people. The health inequity and poor health literacy are also included in
under the social environment. Shortage of time along with the cultural differences is also one of
the factors that become a barrier to accessing the healthcare in the UK. Communication and
traditional beliefs along with the lack of health and other infrastructure in the social
environment are the barriers.
Lifestyles and beliefs: in the UK, the lifestyles, attitudes and beliefs of the people are
responsible for affecting the health (Adedini et al., 2014). The people who are addicted to
alcohol, cigarettes and other habits having major health issues like cancer. Less interference of
parents and elder people in the life of children are also dragging them towards bad habits,
which later cause major health issues. Unhealthy food items, improper eating and sleeping
habits, stressed life, work and personal life's pressure and stress are also creating barriers to
accessing proper health care in many of the countries.
9

Task 2 – Case Study
3.3 Explain the importance of Ayesha providing relevant health-related
information to the public
Many of the health practitioners like Ayesha is providing various information to the local people
in the UK about the relevant health-related information. This information will help the people
to lead a better life and also in avoiding the bad habits like smoking and drinking alcohol. The
main aim of the health practitioners and the other statutory and non-statutory health and care
organizations is to promote health education among the local communities of the UK. Following
are the major importance of providing relevant health-related information to the public:
Teenagers – by providing health-related information to the teenagers, an awaren4ess of having
a proper lifestyle and avoiding bad habits can be promoted. This information will be helpful in
avoiding the problems of obesity which is common in UK's teenagers. Proper drinking and
eating habits should be suggested to them in order to maintain their health along with some
exercises (Finch et al., 2016).
Teachers – they will guide the teenagers who are suffering from the problems of obesity in the
UK and motivate them to have a correct lifestyle. The health promoters can give teachers
brochures and pamphlets that will help them in highlighting the major factors that are creating
the problems of obesity.
Youth workers – the youth workers are the major health promoters in the UK as many of the
health seminars and workshops are taken by them. The people who are addicted to drinking
and smoking habits need to realize their negative impacts on the health and the diseases which
are caused by them (Adams et al., 2016).
Other diseases like cancer, teenage pregnancy etc. can also be avoided by providing education
to the teenagers, teachers and youth workers. Also, it can easily make them aware of the
consequences of having bad habits.
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2.3 Explaining how the health beliefs of teenagers governing their food
consumption and physical activity relate to theories of health behaviour
Theory of planned behaviour is one of the theories that are concerned with the health beliefs
of teenagers governing their food consumption and physical activities. This theory is linked to
the beliefs and behaviour of common man. According to this theory, there are various factors
that are shaping the behavioural intentions of an individual and they are the attitude towards
the subjective norms along with the perceived behavioural control. This theory is trying to
predict the human behaviour in the cases of health issues and diseases (Montano and Kasprzyk,
2015).
Figure 3: Theory of planned behaviour
[Source: https://communicationstrategies.wordpress.com/2012/03/05/when-a-plan-comes-
together/]
Following are some of the key variables in the theory of planned behaviour:
 Normative beliefs and subjective norms
 Control beliefs and perceived behavioural control
 Behavioural intention and behaviour
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 Conceptual / operational comparison
The above theory is helpful in governing the food habits and physical activities of the teenagers
who are suffering from the problem of obesity in the UK. This is because; they behaviour are
understood by them.
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3.1 Discussing how the role of routine in promoting their healthy living will be
incorporated into Ayesha’s health promotion campaign
Following are the promotion of healthy living for the people who are suffering from the obesity
in the UK. These two healthy livings are the major focuses that are incorporated into the health
promotion campaign by Ayesha.
Promotion of healthy
living
Role of routine Update Treatment
Breathlessness Yoga and physical
exercises can be
introduced into the
daily routine to avoid
the problem of
breathlessness, which is
the major cause of
obesity in the
teenagers (Naidoo and
Wills, 2016).
In order to check the
problem of
breathlessness, doctors
and physicians can be
helpful.
Relieve
breathlessness
Reduce the level
of anxiety and
panic from the
daily routine
Reduce
inflammation in
the lungs
Feeling very tired
every day
Alarms and timers can
be introduced in the
daily routines so that
the obesity patients can
maintain hydrated.
Proper hydration will
help them to avoid
tiredness.
Phone and alarm clock
timers are helpful in
updating the status of
the person.
Eat less and
Exercise more
replacing sugary
drinks with the
sugar-free drinks
(Monsivais and
Burgoine, 2018)
13

3.2 Discussing the potential conflicts that Ayesha will encounter with the local
fast food industry on health promotion
There are many conflicts that are creating problems in the path of promoting health to the local
communities. These conflicts are also encountered with the local fast food industries as their
sales are being affected by the health promotion. For example, the bane of alcohol in many of
the countries for the age group below 18 is also creating issues with the local alcohol industry in
the country. Due to the health promotion, campaigns and conferences, the people who are
suffering from the problem of obesity become aware and started avoiding eating fast food and
drinks in their diets (Harriss, D.J. and Atkinson, 2015). The sales and profit margins of the local
fast food industries are also decreasing due to which the employees of the industry are creating
conflicts with the health promoters like Ayesha.
The social and cultural environment is the major reasons of conflicts with the local fast food
industries in the UK. This is because they are the major barriers to accessing the healthcare
services.
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Task 3 – Report
2.1 Analyzing the links between government strategies and models of health
promotion
The government strategies and models are helpful in increasing the control over the bad habits
and also to improve the health of the local communities. All these standards and strategies are
helpful for the people to maintain the effectiveness in their lives. The government and national
health organizations are proposing various health promotions to the local people which are the
sum of the health education and public health policies. These strategies are motivating the
people to lead a good life even after they are suffering from various diseases (Lewis, 2015).
The National Institute of Clinical Excellence is one of the government's organizations that are
developing various strategies to control the habits of drinking alcohol, limiting the problems of
obesity etc. different health professionals are working in the top-down approach and also
following various legislative actions related to the health care. The three major systems of
Beattie for promoting the health is also used by the government in the UK and they are
motivation, belief and normative. They are helpful in varying and protecting the individual
health in the UK.
In the UK, the government is also making various strategies and models to promote the health
education in the poor communities where the people are not even aware of the health issues.
Proper analysis of the diseases along with their treatment is provided to the patients who are
suffering from the diseases like obesity (Bryson, 2018). The government strategies and models
are also adopted by the private hospitals in the UK in order to cure the patients. Also, there are
various links between the private and public healthcare providers in the UK which are dedicated
to the health promotion activities.
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2.2. Explaining the role of professionals has in meeting government targets for
health promotion
The professionals in the health and social and care are dedicated to meeting the targets of the
government strategies. They are the people who promote health education and awareness in
the local communities of the UK. The targets of the government are to promote education in
the overall geographical locations in the UK that are done by the professionals that are engaged
in the services. They use various promotional techniques like the traditional and the digital
techniques in promoting the health to the local communities (Eldredge et al 2016).
The door to door awareness camps is done by the health promoter professional in the
government strategies and make the people aware of the health issues. Digital technologies are
also used by the professionals in meeting the government targets of the health promotion;
these techniques include the health promotion through pamphlets, brochures, booklets and
various fliers that can attract the mindset of local communities. The professionals are the
people who can directly help in meeting the targets of government for promoting health.
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Task 4 – Individual Project
4.1 Select and plan a health promotion campaign that meets specific health
and social care objectives
The title for health promotion campaign – “reducing obesity in the teenagers”
Goals and Objectives of the health campaign are as follows:
 To educate the local families of the UK about obesity and its adverse consequences
which will be helpful reducing its rising prevalence
 To give education to the prospective mothers for healthy eating who are pregnant and
also to feed their offspring healthily
 To raise political and social awareness of obesity in the local people by listing their
adverse health consequences
(Green et al., 2018)
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Target group – the major targeted people in the health campaign are the age group of 15 to 25
who are under the major influences of obesity the UK. Pregnant ladies and the indigenous
females are also under the target group of the health campaign.
Major risk factors –
 overeating and unhealthy food
 drinking and fast food consumption
 physical inactiveness
 poor access to the health services in some areas
 lack of education in the local communities
Major Strategies -
 strong controls on the price promotions of the unhealthy foods and drinks
 control of marketing and advertising the unhealthy food and drinks
 a reformation program to reduce the sugar consumption in the food and drinks
 a sugary drink tax on the full soft drinks
 improved education and information about proper diets
 early intervention to offer help to the families that are affected by obesity
 Stronger powers for the local authorities for tackling the environment leading to
obesity.
Partnership –
 General practitioners
 Dieticians and nutritionist
 Nurses and personal trainers
 Local government authorities
 Hospitals and other healthcare providers
 Counsellors
 The education sector, etc.
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4.2 Explaining how that health promotion campaign supports health
promotion strategies
The health promotion campaigns that are organized by the public and private sector health and
social care organizations are helpful in meeting the objectives that are designed under the
health promotion strategies. The health promotion campaigns are the links between the local
people and the government strategies that are made to promote the health awareness in the
local communities. The health promotion campaigns are helpful in promoting the health
education and awareness about the diseases like obesity which is common in the teenagers.
The health promotion strategies are targeting a specific group of people and disease in every
strategy which is focused on the health promotion campaigns (Sallis, Owen and Fisher, 2015).
The objectives that are made under the health promotion campaign like educating the local
families of the UK about obesity and its adverse consequences which will be helpful reducing its
rising prevalence are helpful in limiting the obesity problem in the teenagers in the UK. These
health campaigns are also supporting various health promotion strategies that are designed
under the health and care organizations in the UK.
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Conclusion
From the aforementioned assignment, it can be concluded that the health issues in a particular
geographical area can be reduced or even eradicated properly by using various health
promotion techniques. These techniques and strategies are helpful in dragging the attention of
people towards the problems and also suggest various solutions to the health problems. With
the help of planning a campaign for limiting the number of people who are suffering from
obesity, it can be concluded that the health problems are the result of incorrect lifestyles and
drinking and eating habits of the people. The health promotion campaigns along with both
private and public health providers are helpful in promoting health education in the local
communities of the UK.
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