Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 1 Understanding Your Health and Wellness 19 Your culture (the beliefs, values, customs, and arts of a group of people) and community are also part of your social environment. The cultural practices and behaviors of your social group affect your health and wellness. Cultural practices that may affect your health and wellness are shown in Figure 1.9. The risk factors in your social environment depend on the practices and behaviors of those in your group and their influences on you. If your parents practice healthy eating habits, you are more likely to practice them as well. If your friends smoke or drink and pressure you to do so, your risk of engaging in these harmful behaviors increases, too. Following are two ways to help reduce the risk factors within your social environment: • maintain healthy relationships with others • focus on engaging in healthy behaviors Economic Environment Your economic environment includes your family’s and community’s level of education, income, and resources. For example, education improves knowledge about the importance of nutrition and physical activity. Scientists have found that college graduates in the United States are less likely to experience overweight and obesity. Both of these conditions are related to nutrition and physical activity. The connection between education and health also relates to income. People with more education tend to earn more money. With more money, people are better able to pay for healthcare, activities, and resources that promote health. Lifestyle Factors The way you choose to live your life can greatly affect your health and wellness. For example, what you choose to eat and drink affects your health. How active or inactive you are makes a difference in your level of health, too. How much sleep Figure 1.9 The way your family and the wider culture you are part of eats, celebrates, gets physical activity, and treats illnesses affect your overall health and wellness. Cultural Practices That Affect Health and Wellness • Food and taste preferences • Eating patterns • Religious or spiritual practices • Activity preferences • Medical treatment and customs Civil/Shutterstock.com