HLPE1540

Eleanor Binney 2167812

Reflective Journal
Journal 1:
We live in a health-obsessed age (Germov, 2014).
This was the first sentence for the beginning of my education in Health. Over
the past four weeks I have been introduced to a topic, which has both excited
and scared me. Health is something I have always been interested in, I like
learning how other people think, and throughout the beginning of this course I
believe I have experienced first hand how different and interesting a health
class can be, and how everyone has their own opinion.
To me what makes an excellent class, isnt how much work is been done, but
how informed I feel as I walk out. One class that stuck out to me in particular
was week 3. In week three we all discussed social media and its effects on
health, we spent the time finding examples of how social media can affect us.
For example, my group found a before and after image on instagram,
displaying one persons weight loss. After viewing this image I began thinking
critically. Is this image real? How does this image make me feel? Is this having
a positive impact on me?. The whole class debated different reasons of why this
image was bad, and how the image could be altered. My favorite question I was
left with was Is the person in the image really happy. The answer is, I will
never know, they say a picture is worth a thousand words, yet this before and
after image tells me next to nothing about the health of the person.
On page 42 of the textbook, John discusses happiness and wellbeing, and how
we are usually aware of our own happiness. However, it is next to impossible to
understand someone elses happiness. Happiness and well-being is considered a
personal issue (Germov, 2014). This is a clear example of what is happening
in the before and after image. I have no idea of that persons personal health,
happiness and wellbeing; the only thing I can see is how skinny the second
image is. That skinny could have been achieved by under-eating, overexercising, it could have been done over many years, it could have been photo
shopped, or it could have been two completely different people. The only person
whom will ever 100% know the truth, is the person behind it.
We live in a health obsessed age a quote from the first page of the textbook. I
believe we do not live in a health obsessed age, I believe we live in an age
obsessed with the illusion of health.
You never hear someone say you look so healthy! it is always You look so fit
you look so skinny. We look up to those who appear to be skinny, who appear
to be fit. Health is never what we see it as.
These first four weeks of health, and especially the third week, have opened my
eyes to a whole new view of health. Seeing other peoples opinions force me to
think out of the box, and out of my comfort zone. Health is an extremely
interesting topic, and its only just the beginning

Journal 2:
One of the most universally recognized ways of bringing people together is food.
People catch up over lunch, we all sit around the table at Christmas, we make
friends with those who enjoy the same foods, and we bond over the foods we
despise. As a vegan myself, I find joy in meeting people who share the same
views on food as it is a major part of my life.
I have an extreme interest in learning about nutritional health and that is why I
thoroughly enjoyed chapter 11, and the week 7 workshop. In this workshop we
all looked at images of families around the world and discussed the differences
in food culture, and how we all personally viewed healthy eating (DeMilked
2013). It was extremely interesting looking at different cultures and what they
eat in one week. A personal favourite of mine was comparing Australia with
other countries, in particular Mexico. The family from Mexico has an abundance
of wholefoods, fruits and vegetables, and the Australian family has a lot of
packaged foods, meats, and other animal product. This makes me reflect on
what my food intake would look like after a week, and it raises the questions
am I happy with what I eat within a week? and do I consider what I eat within
a week healthy?. This relates back to the textbook on page 211, John Germov
discusses how we now are more likely to eat out of our home, then we did 30
years ago and how now this is considered normal, although just because
something is considered normal does that make it healthy.
In my personal opinion, healthy eating consists of a plant-based diet with lots of
fruits and vegetables, grains, and seeds and limited processed and fast foods. It
was interesting to hear people around my table viewed healthy eating. I sat
down with my friend Emilie and we discussed what we both thought about
healthy eating (Appendix A, 2016). A main difference in our views was calories
one strong point of mine is that I dont view calories as a bad thing, I believe if
you live a plant based diet, limiting calories is not necessary, however in her
view of a healthy diet she limits calories. I also had a conversation with
someone who is not studying health or nutrition (Appendix B). All three of our
views on healthy eating are different, but similar in one particular way variety.
Everyone who I have talked to has considered variety an important part of
nutrition. I may think that calories dont matter, and someone else may think
that they do matter, I get my proteins from grains and vegetables, and many
people get their proteins from meat. Everyones opinions are different, but that
doesnt make them wrong. As my tutor Jennifer Fane said in the workshop no
one diet works for everyone (HLPE1540, Week 7).
In the last few weeks I have been working with my enquiry project group to start
our major assignment. It was important for me to branch out and do something I
havent done before. In the past I have done a lot of work on mental health,
womens health and sexuality which is something I find mentally stimulating
but it is time do develop my knowledge in a different area. I joined a group a
group focusing on racism. This is something I am passionate about, but have
never researched further. To me it is important to learn about new aspects of
health, and not stick to the same thing as it helps me develop as a person and
become interested in different issues.

By discussing the workshops and chapters with my friends I am able to get a

deeper understanding of what everyone has learned. Discussing with peers has
helped me broaden my thinking Instead of just talking about my own opinion
and now incorporate the opinions of others. In paragraph 2 of my first journal I
discussed questions I had from week 3 ? How does this image make me feel?
Is this having a positive impact on me?, now after the last few weeks I now
would be things How does this image not only myself, but others feel? and Is
this having a positive impact on myself and others?. Thinking this way is
important in health. Health is a very reflective subject, and being able to relate
the subject matter to others and myself has made it easier to understand, and
made me think more empathetically.
Journal 3:
As we are nearing the end of this topic, I feel sadness, yet also pride and
accomplishment. Throughout the last few weeks I have expressed my emotions
through haiku, and they will be presented throughout this journal.
I give it my best.
The stress overtaken me.
Health education.
One of my favourite, and most memorable recent workshops was Jens
workshop on Health Promotion (HLPE1540, Week 10). This workshop gave us an
inside look at Jenns own health promotion for Jump Rope for Heart and her
perspective. As an education student, it s inspirational to see the impact a
passionate teacher can have on children and the classrom. Before I stepped
into that class I understood that teaching students about health promotion was
important, but during that class I learned how important it is to show students
activities, not just tell and the importance of being a role model.
Words I can tell facts,
Though with actions I can show.
Leave with a vision.
If I were to take a class out for a fitness lesson, I would have developed a game
for the children to play together, however, this class taught me that it is
extremely important that I join in as well. Young children view teachers as role
models, that is inevitable, but it never occurred to me that students would be
more inclined to join in, and enjoy activities if the teacher participated. Seeing
education from a different teachers perspective, and seeing her evidence
provides me with an understanding of what is important in education. Jenn did
not flat out say This is how you do a health promotion with no evidence. She
showed us the development of the children, and how they went from not
wanting to participate, to enjoying, and looking forward to Jump Rope for Heart.
But how do you teach
from a seated position,

when children should stand.

This completely changed my perspective on children, and made me reflect on
my own school. The teachers that joined in with the students, not only in sport
activities, and health promotions, but also in other learning activities were my
favourite teachers. Why? Because I felt close with them, they did not feel
distant, or as if there was a barrier between student and teacher. There was an
array of teachers that would sit on the sidelines, shouting out what we did
wrong or right. As a young child I believed that everything a teacher does was
done in the correct way, but only when I was shown alternative methods did I
reflect back this, and question what makes a good health promotion.
From one to the next
Pass on the mighty wisdom
Teach through connection
In this haiku I am discussing the impact teaching has when you are relating and
engaging with the students.
There is a metaphor in the textbook called Upstream and Downsteam (Germov,
2014, p.464), it discusses how preventive health promotion is more affective
than waiting for a cure when diagnosed. Promoting good health and safety can,
in the end, prove more effective than saving people from drowning one by one.
This metaphor, and in particularly that quote stood out for me, as this idea is
important to me in everyday life. It is more important, to educate people on the
consequences of poor health choices (fast food, smoking, drugs) rather than to
just fix the issue when it arises.
Upstream and Downstream
Focus on the prevention
Before its too late
A health promotion that we discussed in class (HLPE1540, Week 10) that stood
out to me was the 2&5 healthy eating campaign. According to the Sydney
Morning Herald, only one in twenty Australians eat enough vegetables (Harrison,
2015). This health promotion focuses on educating Australia on their vegetable
and fruit intake, and encourages them to try and reach the goal of 2 fruits and 5
vegetables a day (Gofor2and5). This promotion, and statistics caught my eye
because it astounds me that the majority of Australians do not eat the beautiful
fruit and vegetables that are provided to us. As previously mentioned, I do not
eat meat, eggs or dairy, so the majority of my diet comes from fruits and
vegetables, and I believe I eat well over the recommended 2 and 5, so I took
my research further, and asked my friends a simple yes/no question to give me
a broader understanding of my peers.
Here are the results.
Yes

Do you eat enough Fruit and Vegetables?

Sometimes/Not

No

Sure/Inconclusive
//

////

//////

Written Answers:
- I love fruit and veg, but I definitely dont get enough because Im too lazy
to eat good food, and I eat bad food when I am stressed. I eat fruit at least
once a day at least but only veg when mum cooks it
- I eat heaps of fruit by not vegetables
- I think I get enough vegetables but not enough fruit
- Depending on the season, and climate: summer yes, but winter no.
This is obviously not a scientific study, but it did give me some indication on
health promotion. I grew up with this group of friends, and we all did the same
lessons on healthy eating, and we all focused on the 2 and 5 program. We all
watched the commercials, and had a talk on the program, but it didnt go any
further than that. This reflects back to Jenns talk on health promotion, and how
it is important not to talk to children about healthy eating, but to show them, set
a good example and help them through the program.
Children love to learn
When someone will show them how
Dont just tell, please do.
A challenge that I have overcome over the past few weeks has been working in
a group for the inquiry project. To work with a group of people I didnt know was
difficult as I wasnt aware of the work ethics of these people. I am the kind of
person that leaves things to the last minute, unless dealing with a group task. I
want people to think highly of me, and I dont like to disappoint people, and
therefore I complete work to the deadlines we decide on. However, when
someone doesnt complete things to the deadlines, and when its less than a
week until we present and they have done nothing, it gets me stressed.
We should be a team
These frustrations consume me
Do your f@#king work.
This group task was an awakening. It forced me to reflect on the quality of my
work ethics, and the quality of my learning. The topic we chose was Racism, and
it wasnt a difficult topic, but it sparked a lot of questions. For example does
this relate back to health? I had to continuously keep asking myself questions
to keep on track. I believe when learning, or researching something it is just as
important to reflect back, as it is too look forward.
The ability to have a group discussion has been an important part of my
learning experience in the Health classroom. My knowledge and understanding
of the world come primarily from other people. I learn better from watching
other peoples thought processes and understanding rather than just reading
information. When I came to class, and had read the chapter, I had limited

knowledge on what the topic was about, but as we discussed it as a group, or

entire class, I understood. This was a Health class, but it helped in my education
topic. It is important to me that I understand in what ways I best learn, and I can
use that to my advantage. This made me realize that everybody works
differently, and we cant categorize learning into groups it is a spectrum.
The conclusion of the final chapter we read, chapter 24, A Sociology of Health
Education (Germov, 2014, pp. 464 783), discussed how health promotion can
be portrayed in different ways, just like previously mentioned, we learn in
different ways. Health promotion was my favorite chapter due to how it linked
everything together. From racism, and how enquiry projects, to our educations
as young children. This chapter, and the week 10 workshop made me think, and
reflect on how health topics have effected me previously, and it made me reflect
toward, on how I will use this knowledge that I have obtained over the past
weeks to improve the education of others and myself.
Reflection at end
The thought processes remain
A thoughtful ending.

References:
Germov, J 2014, Second Opinion An introduction to health sociology, published
by Oxford University Press, Victoria Australia.
Gofor2and5, Health Promotion, accessed 3rd June,
<http://www.gofor2and5.com.au/>
DeMilked 2013, Hungry Planet: What People Eat Around the World, accessed
26th April 2016,
<http://www.demilked.com/what-the-world-eats/>
Harrison, D 2015, Only one in 20 Australians eats enough vegetables, accessed
3rd June 2016, < http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/only-one-in-20australians-eats-enough-vegetables-20150610-ghkrye.html>
HLPE1540, Week 3 Workshop, 15th March 2016
HLPE1540, Week 7 Workshop, 26th April 2016
HLPE1540, Week 10 Workshop, 17th May 2016
Appendices:
Appendix A:
Discussion with university student Emilie Stewart at Flinders University, 3rd May
2016.
Emilies point of view
-

Carbs: Energy for the day

Eleanors Point of View:

-

Maintain a plant based diet

Fruit and veggies: nutrients and

vitamins
Dont go over calorie intake
Lean meats
Dont eliminate fats and sugars,
be mindful of what types they
are and the amount that you
consume.
Treat yourself if you want

Plenty of Fruits for glucose

Vegetables for nutrients and
vitamins
Unlimited calories (Eat as much
as you need)
Eat healthy fats (avocado,
nuts) daily, but dont go
overboard.
No Meat or dairy (for the planet,
for the animals, for yourself)
Treat yourself if you want

Appendix B:
Discussion with Lachlan Rowntree (not a university student, doesnt take health)
online on 3rd May 2016.
Lachlans Point of view.
-

Eat lots of veggies

Drink lots of water
Eat red meat (something to do with amino acids and proteins)
Eat Carbs for energy (in moderation)
Eat foods that provide a natural source of Vitamins
Obtain sugar from fruits
Avoid foods that contain a high amount of sugar or high fructose corn
syrup.
Counting calories doesn't necessarily work because it all depends on
where the calories came from. Not how many you have in a day.