Chapter 2 How and Why People Develop and Learn 37
Health Care
Imagine researchers find a genetic predisposition for various disorders such as
health-related or learning issues. The next logical step is to look for ways in which
the environment can be manipulated to lessen or eliminate the issue. Medical
treatments including medications and procedures can often lessen a genetic char-
acteristic. Some genetic medical conditions can be lessened with medication and
therapy combined. The availability of health care, proper nutrition, and physical
activity are the most obvious ways to manipulate the environment.
Nutrition
Children and teens need nutritious foods to physically grow and function.
Adults need nutritious foods to maintain health. The nutritional needs of chil-
dren and teens are constantly changing as they go through tremendous bodily
changes in their move toward adulthood. A lack of proper nutrition can also
affect cognitive development. For example, inadequate nutritional intake can
result in loss of knowledge, brainpower, and productivity. The ability to learn in
school diminishes (shorter attention spans and memory) when there is a lack of
nutrition.
Good nutrition and an active lifestyle are
thought to improve health and performance in
school and at work, but they also affect social and
emotional development. Self-esteem may also be
affected. For example, more adolescents become
overweight due to poor nutrition and lack of activ-
ity. Media and peer pressure demand that females
look thinner and males get bulkier. These societal
pressures lead many children, teens, and adults to
engage in less healthful eating behaviors.
Physical Activity
How does physical activity affect development?
Childhood and adolescence are vital times for pro-
moting the development of motor skills such as
hopping, jumping, skipping, shooting a basketball,
learning a dance move, or kicking a soccer ball, 2-13.
Most children are naturally active, but may not have
the opportunity to play and explore because of space
or safety concerns. Because their parents or caregivers
do not encourage them to be physically active, they
may lead more sedentary (non-active) lives. Seden-
tary lifestyles can lead to poor health at any life stage.
Obviously, fresh air and activity are good for physi-
cal development. Physical activity can also increase
blood supply to the brain by causing new capillaries
(blood vessels) to grow, which produces cognitive ben-
efits. Of course, physical activity alone does not cause
increased cognitive abilities. When combined with other
enriching experiences, physical activity may have a posi-
tive impact on thinking and learning.
Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com
2-13
Childhood and adolescence are
important stages for promoting
physical active behaviors that can
last a lifetime.