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Healthy Growth
Healthy Growth Kia Drake Walden University
Healthy Growth Abstract
Common factors such as obesity and addiction have been seen to be a reoccurring issue in the different developmental stages. In this paper I touch on the variety of ways in which these two factors impact development in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. The effects of each of these issues seems to somewhat similar in the different stages, however during some stages such as adolescence, there is more of a risk for long term negative effects on health and growth.
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Throughout each of our lives, there are biological, social, psychological and cultural factors that can influence development. As humans proceed through childhood to adolescence and then adulthood, there are common obstacles or concerns that can be seen in each stage. Biological factors include things that an individual is more than likely predisposed to from birth, such as high cholesterol and obesity (Santrock, 2009). Psychological factors have been attributed to lack of self-control, emotional turmoil, as well as negative thinking, all of which can cause health and developmental issues. Social and cultural issues that can influence health and development are socioeconomic status and poverty (Santrock, 2009). Two common factors across the three developmental stages are obesity and addiction. Across all stages of development poor nutrition and unhealthy eating habits are a cause for concern and can lead to obesity. It has been found that in the United States the fast paced lifestyle of most families leads to an increase in poor eating habits (Santrock, 2009). Children that have poor eating habits will more than likely continue those habits through adolescence and into adulthood. Childhood obesity has become an increasingly common issue and has been seen to have a long-term effect, which can then cause the child to have an increase in medical and psychological problems. According to Lumeng (as cited in Santrock, 2009) obese children are three times more likely to develop hypertension, elevated blood pressure and have issues with low self esteem and possibly even depression. If there are issues with obesity in childhood then it will more than likely carry over into adolescence. Particularly in adolescent girls, the fear of becoming overweight has been linked to eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa (Santrock, 2009). There is a known correlation between relationships with parents and peer groups and eating disorders in young girls as well. Although not always the case, most girls that
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develop eating disorders come from well-educated upper income families where there is immense pressure to physically look a certain way. American culture today, perpetuates the idea that thin is better, which can contribute to issues with weight. There has been a substantial amount of evidence that links cultural influences and obesity as well (Santrock, 2009). Into adult development, obesity and weight continue to be an issue in terms of physical development and health. Again, a decline in physical activities greatly increases the probability that weight will become a cause for concern in the adult years. Obese adults can have health problems such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (Santrock, 2009). Eating foods that are high in fat contain empty calories and a predisposition to be obese can lead to being overweight as an adult as well. Children that have obese parents are more likely to be obese themselves and or struggle with weight issues (Santrock, 2009). As adolescences and adults because of obesity and weight concerns dieting begins to become another obstacle, which in some cases then leads to the development of more serious problems such as in the case of eating disorders. Becoming obsessed with weight can carry over through each progressive developmental stage. The second factor that can be seen across the three developmental stages and is an issue of concern (i.e. childhood, adolescence, and adulthood) deals with addiction. Babies can be born addicted to substances their mothers abused while pregnant. The infant will born dependent on a substance and have to go through withdrawal, just as if they were using the substance themselves. Addictive substances can be anything that alters mood and behavior and can cause dangers to health and development (Santrock, 2009). Children that are born into environments where his or her caregiver is a smoker are at special risk for respiratory and middle ear
Healthy Growth
infections. The result of a dependency on any substances be it alcohol, hard-core drugs, or nicotine is known as Healthy Growth addiction. In my opinion people can be predisposed to addictive patterns, I think it depends on the environmental factors as well as psychological. Either the disease model of addiction or the life-process model can be used when attempting to explain addiction concerns across developmental stages in life. In adolescence smoking has been seen to carry over from childhood according to Santrock, (2009). When substances are used in adolescence to cope with stress, serious problems will follow because he or she is interfering with the normal development of coping skills and responsible decision-making. Addiction in this stage of development has been seen to have a more negative long-term effect on development. With age, into adulthood and late adulthood, there is less and less evidence of addiction yet it is very prevalent. It has been seen as the invisible epidemic because abuse now covers a larger gamete of substances, including illicit drugs and prescription drugs as well. In conclusion, weight issues such as obesity and addiction have been known to be a concern in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Logically it makes sense that if there is a concern, as a child then there will more than likely be the same concerns later in life. As we develop through life we can choose to partake in health enhancing or health compromising behaviors that will effect us in one way or another, so even if we are predisposed to certain issues, we can take control of our live and break the cycle.
Healthy Growth
Reference Santrock, J. W. (2009). A topical approach to life-span development (custom ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

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Healthy Growth

Healthy Growth Kia Drake Walden University

Healthy Growth Abstract

Healthy Growth Healthy Growth

Healthy Growth Healthy Growth

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