Discussion Post 4: Physical Health and Emotion

The textbook discusses the ways in which many cultures conceptualize health and health related behaviors. In the United States, many of our national agencies conceptualize being healthy as (1) maintaining a normal body weight (with a BMI under 25); (2) having cholesterol within normal limits (typically total cholesterol under 200 with LDL cholesterol under 130); (3) eating recommended daily values of nutrients (<65 grams of fat, <300mg cholesterol, <2000 calories, >25grams of fiber, and 50 grams of protein); (4) exercising for approximately 30 minutes five or more days a week; and (5) maintaining blood pressure below 130 systolic and 85 diastolic.

Reflect on these healthy lifestyle recommendations for a moment. How many do you meet? If you do not meet all of them, what are you doing to become healthier? If you are not doing anything to become healthier, why not?

How does culture influence the idea of “healthy?”

my BMI is above 25 and my Cholesterol is unknown, however my blood pressure remains normal.