HLPE1540

Assignment 1

Student ID: Student ID: 2166013

Sarah Johnston

Reflective Journal 1

Enrolling in this topic I have learnt that health goes a lot deeper than the physical aspects.
Before moving to Adelaide health has also been to me about keeping fit and eating healthy
foods to source your body. From the first workshop it was discussed that education and
money are both contributing factors when it comes to health. This personally has stuck
with me, as I have not thought about how education and money can play a role in health.
While, also the sociological template also made me start thinking about the broader ranges
of health. However, as Australians do we just look at the physical aspects and if you eat
healthy and exercise regally does that make you a healthy person? I strongly feel that
social media is a strong contributing factor for stereotyping what a healthy body looks like.
All over social media presents women and men with skinny, toned and muscly bodies, but
therefore is social media to be to blamed for what everyone thinks a healthy person is?
From class discussion and reference from Germov I found it fascinating that people who
are wealthy tend to live a healthy lifestyle as they can afford food and clinical services,
however people that are less fortunate e.g.; Southern Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa
(Germov,2014 p.67) who are currently undernourished and have limited health facilities.
Initially I began to notice that the countries that earn low incomes are the ones with shorter
life expectancy as Germov states global life expectancy has risen by four years to 68
years, but this general improvement masks a significant gap between poorer and richer
countries (Germov,2014 p.66). For me, the important issue was that 21,000 child[ren]
died per day in 2010 (Germov,2014 p.66) but my question is how can we stop this? and
reduce this significant number? As Australians should we be doing something about this?
From watching If the population of the world was only 100 people what would society look
like was extremely eye opening. At first I knew that there are many people in the world that
are un-educated but, I personally found it interesting that the statistics shows 7 people out
of 100 attended collage therefore, 93 did not attend collage. But, I asked myself why? Is it
because they are not interested in living a collage lifestyle. Is is a financial problem? I
found it interesting that a girl in the class who has an English background said that you
have to pay for collage up front and spend another two years in high school and students
at that age think whats the point?. But, then it comes down to should education be free?
Why should australians get the advantage of paying back a hex deck and other countries
have to pay upfront? Previously, I though that as an university student i am extremely lucky
that i don't have to pay many cost up front unlike other countries yet this could also be
because of the wealth of Australia. Additionally I have learnt that health is an in depth topic
that effects every single person around the world and I hope my knowledge and
understands will further in this topic.

HLPE1540
Assignment 1

Student ID: Student ID: 2166013

Sarah Johnston

Reference List:
Germov, J., 2014. Second opinion: an introduction to health sociology| NOVA. The
University of Newcastle's Digital Repository.
If the world was 100 people, youtube clip, 14 March, viewed 23 March 2016,
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFrqTFRy-LU>
P.
Fewer areas in more detail
Spelling
Sentence Structure
Reflective Journal 2

After the mid-semester break and reading chapter 11 in the second opinion
about the social appetite was a great way to introduce food and nutrition
into the topic. Within in the modern society the obesity epidemic is
constantly rising yet, Germov shows many other issues such as
medicalisation of food and the McDonaldization of the food supply.
Previously I thought that advertisement was the issue when it came to
obesity and over eating. I felt like this was one of the major reasons behind
why our population is greatly obese. Alternatively this might also be the fact
that fast food is a lot cheaper then fresh produce. And high in fat, salt and
sugar Due to this many Australians are turning to the quick and easy drive
through rather than cooking a healthy meal at home. After reading the text
book a lot of question started to arise as Germov (2014 p.209) stated an
abundance of cheap foods potentially encourages over consumptions,
particularly when the marketing efforts of food manufacturers and retailers
are taken into account. I therefore started googling advertisements within
Australia, and I found that one regular chicken burger is only $2. Compared
to an apple and a 600ml bottle of water which the water alone is $2.75. For
me, I questioned maybe the fast food chain should be recognized that they
may be the reason why Australia has a huge obesity epidemic.

HLPE1540
Assignment 1

Student ID: Student ID: 2166013

Sarah Johnston

(McDonald,
n.d)

(Woolworths, n.d)

At the end of the day majority of children would rather eat a $2 chicken
burger then a bottle of water and an apple. Having analyzed I now feel that
advertisement should be focusing on the positives rather than trying to lure
customers in with a cheap price. So, I then thought well how much money
is actually being spent on fast food advertisements? Figure 1 is a ridiculous
image that was produced in 2012 that shows there is a significant difference
between the costing that was spent. Only 116 million dollars was actually
spent on adverting fresh produce compared to 4.6 billion dollars. Having
learnt this, I now know why our adverting is so high on fast food, and I
completely understand why Australia is constantly reminding us about the
Obesity epidemic. This knowledge is essential to me as a learner because it
helps be gather a broad understanding about why Australia is choosing the
fast food option. Maybe it could be because it is quick and easy, affordable
to all families, and is highly advertised constantly in our day to day life.

(Yale Rudd, 2012)

Food labelling is also a huge issue that I find really interesting. Prior to the
discussion in the workshop I had some prior word repartition understanding
of the food and regulations laws. In year 12 for Food and Hospitality I chosen
to do my investigation on food labelling laws and how the government

HLPE1540
Assignment 1

Student ID: Student ID: 2166013

Sarah Johnston

displays these laws and what actions are taken place for the laws to be put
into practice take place. word repartition Within the reading Germov (2014
p.212) states that the food is typically energy dense that is, it contains a
high amount of kilojoules or calories for each gram of predict and high in
fat. In todays society a lot of foods that are on the supermarket shelves are
also high in salt and sugar, both of which are flavors that appeal to our taste
buds. Having experience myself about the foods that are high in salt and
sugar especially creates a strong craving for more. expression For example I
went to the supermarket and bought the new orea block of chocolate to try,
at first I only had 3 square, but when the sugar hit it was extremely difficult
to not to continue on eating the block. From class discussion on food
labelling and how little companys show us I decided to see how much sugar
that was in the whole block of chocolate. The serving sizes that was
recommended is 25 grams, which is approximately 4 squares of chocolate.
The sugar intake for 4 square of chocolate is 11.4 grams so therefore for
100grams of chocolate it is 51.2 grams of sugar. Yet, this is where it gets
many consumers, as there is actually 220 grams of chocolate in a whole
block of chocolate. Therefore, approximately there is 120.4 grams of sugar,
or in other words I was eating 25 teaspoons of sugar if I consumed the whole
block of chocolate. For me the important aspects that I learnt is that sugar is
addictive and foods should be displaying the whole portion of the chocolate
rather than half to trick customers that they are eating less sugar then they
are eating. words repeated
Another type of food labelling that I found really interesting is the star rating.
In the workshop a comparison was made between Milo that receives 4
health start ratings compared to sun flower seeds that only receives 1. This
clearly demonstrates that the health star ratings needs to be addressed, as I
can confidently say that Milo is not healthier then sun flower seeds. Having
discussed I now question our whole food labeling systems. This makes me
feel that you cant really put your trust into a health system like this if they
perceive un-healthy food as healthy foods.

HLPE1540
Assignment 1

Student ID: Student ID: 2166013

Sarah Johnston

Having discussed about fast food adverting and the food labelling laws, I
personally feel discussed with the way Australia is handling the obesity
epidemic. As I am over hearing about how obesity is constantly rising but
the government is not actually addressing the real issue. I feel that if
Australia wants to keep fast food cheap, make fresh produce a competitive
market how?. Also, I personally think that the health star rating and the food
labeling laws need to be re-looked at and addressed. Overall I found this
topic a very interesting yet, a comply issue upon Australia. expression
Word Count: 966
Reference list:
Germov, John. "Second opinion: an introduction to health sociology| NOVA. The
University of Newcastle's Digital Repository." (2014).
McDonald, n.d , Photography, Viewed 3rd May 2016,
<http://www.danasrhj.top/mcdonalds-advertisement/>
Woolworths,n.d, Photography, Viewed 3rd May
2016<https://www.woolworths.com.au/Shop/Search/Products?searchTerm=water>
Yale Rudd, 2012, Photograph, Viewed 3rd May
2016<http://www.fastfoodmarketing.org/>
P
Need to be far more succinct so that you have the space to explore issues in more depth. You
need someone to proof your work for sentence structure and spelling
Reflective Journal 3
From being in health education this semester I have learnt about how complex the term health
means, especially to me. One of the final readings that was read was chapter 24 in the second
opinion text book. This chapter goes into great detail about health promotion and the structures
that are put in place to change lifestyles.
Before reading the text book little did I know about health promotion. When I thought about
health promotion I instantly thought about promoting health and by doing this on food packages

HLPE1540
Assignment 1

Student ID: Student ID: 2166013

Sarah Johnston

and labels. Therefore little did I know the complexity of health promotion. Germov states health
promotion aims to improve the health of the whole population. Health promotion has commonly
come to be known as the new public health approach. But my question is how? The text book
states this approach was intended to change the health agenda towards community
participation and empowerment, and wider social and environmental changes (Germov 2014
p.465). For me the most useful issue that come from health promotion is how can it be
implemented within Australia or even for the future?
From going off the text book I though what does the internet say about health promotion? I
found it interesting comparing the two different meanings of the term health promotion is. When
googling health promotion an instant definition believed Health Promotion is "the process of
enabling people to increase control over their health and its determinants, and thereby improve
their health", according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2005 Bangkok Charter for
Health Promotion in a Globalized World. To a degree and comparing the two, Germov and the
world health organizations are extremely similar.
Upon research of health promotion and what the impacts may be or implication later down the
future, the Australia health promotion association have a wonderful and intriguing website that
allows us Australias to help navigate our way to better health and to educate ourselves.
The Australian health promotion Association also known as (AHPA) seeks to advance the
health of all people in Australia. But my question is why am I only hearing about health
promotion now when Im in university? Why havent I heard prior about how important health
promotion really is? This might be due to negativity that plays a role within the media about
health. Previously I noticed that majority of advertisements on television are all based on
negative impacts on health. For instance; smoking advertisements, drinking campaigns and
drink while driving. Personally, I feel that all this negativity on health is playing a role within
Australian society. Therefore are Australias really displaying great morals, values and beliefs
and virtually promoting good health?
Within the chapter Germov gives the readers three great examples that illustrate the
structuralist explanations structuralist collectivist health promotion (SCHP).

HLPE1540
Assignment 1

Student ID: Student ID: 2166013

Sarah Johnston

Smoking:
It is a well-known facts that smoking is a major cause of heart disease and lung cancer.
Germov states Tobacco advertising has been comprehensively outlawed in Australia and
explicit health warnings on cigarette packets on stands and store owners are under
considerable surveillance in relation to selling cigarettes to minors. Also, until recently smoking
has been banded from particular areas around the state. Especially in areas around pubs,
cafes and restaurants. At first I thought that maybe this might reduce smokers smoking as if
they are at a restaurant having a sit down meal they are less likely to leave the table. This might
occur in some Australians lives, but others it may not faze then. I can strongly relate to the
promotion of what smoking does to not the victim that chooses to smoke but also the people
and family around you. From having a grandfather pass away from lung cancer and having both
parents that smoke I strongly feel that smoking is a disgusting habit and an addiction. This
makes me feel that the way Australia is adverting smoking and trying to make smokers stop
smoking by put horrible photos on cigarette packets. I also strongly feel that it is not the solution
to reduce smokers from smoking or giving up smoking. Having analysed I now think that
smoking should be brought on a different light, no matter if the price dramatically increases,
particular areas in the public that banned smoking or horrible advertisements are displayed on
television. Unfortunately all smokers are going to continue to smoke unless a completely
different approach is used. An Approach that has not yet been discovered but for all Australians
sake I hope it will be soon.
Diet:
The second option text book states Governments have a great deal of power in relation to food
(Germov 2014 p. 475) but how? The governments can control the ingredients and the labelling
that is placed on packaged food. It is a well-known fact that Australia is currently suffering from
an obesity epidemic. This links wonderful in with the inquiry project presentation. One group
focused on food labelling and what labels are used on particular foods. This also relating to the
health star rating. Before engaging in this presentation I knew from experience that the health
star rating is extremely bad. From living out of home and a university student I have become

HLPE1540
Assignment 1

Student ID: Student ID: 2166013

Sarah Johnston

more aware about the meals that I cook and the types of foods I nourish my body with. Since
listening to the inquiry project about food labelling and then putting it into practice I then
compared foods when I went food shopping. I came across milo in the supermarket and look at
the box and my eyes directly went to the start rating that was on the box. Previously I thought
that milo is really bad to drink even with milk, but apparently milo is one of the most healthiest
things to drink as it appears to have four and a half health start ratings compared to sunflower
seeds that only have 2 health start ratings. Having learnt I now feel that our health star rating is
disgusting in Australia and should defiantly be relooked at. Maybe this is why Australia is
suffering from an obesity epidemic? Is it because Australians are thinking they are eating
something healthy when it really isnt? This makes me feel extremely angry and disgusted with
the health system.

Indigenous Australian health:

The poor health and life expectancy of indigenous Australians is well documented and is now
widely a matter of public concern (Germov 2014 p.475). Indigenous health is an alarming issue
that I feel is not talked about enough within the modern world. Personally, I feel that Australians
victimized the indigenous culture as unhealthy compared to Australians. However, from being
in health this semester I strongly feel that having a lower income can play a contributing factor
to lower health facilities and therefore resulting in poor health. Also, being remote and also rural
I feel does play a contributing role of poor health. Not only just for indigenous Australians but
also for Australians in general. Having lived in a remote and rural town I strongly feel that
health can show impacts on an induvial. This knowledge is essential to me as a learner
because I strongly feel that changes need to happen in the indigenous health and focus more
on the outcomes rather than the present.
In summary Whatever the structural changes requite to improve health, people still need some
critically based education about health matters-information about how to utilise health services
and health resources, and how the social environment impinges on their health (Germvo,2014
p. 476) Overall health promotion is a topic that needs to be talked about within education and

HLPE1540
Assignment 1

Student ID: Student ID: 2166013

Sarah Johnston

for future educators to understand the complex and concept of health promotion and the impact
that it can play on the future generation of children. Personally as a next step I feel that I need
more required background knowledge as that would have helped me a lot with understanding
the issues within health promotion.
Another topic that was briefly looked into was IDAHOT day (international day against
homophobia and transphobia. Which relates to gender health as discussion was made in class
about how homophobia and transphobia can lead to poor heath due to bullying within schools.
The lecture that was shown was extremely powerful and eye opening. As prior coming to
university I had no idea about IDAHOT day or what that actually meant. However, I strongly feel
that looking back on my schooling life children demonstrated and displays some clear
messages that teachers were sending to us students. As teachers I feel almost looked over or
not notice the confusing of some students about their gender. However, from coming out of
that lecture I have learnt that I dont want to be that teacher that looks over a child that is
suffering, or not sure about his/her sexuality. I want to be that teacher that creates that safe
space where students can feel comfortable about themselves.
Generally I have learnt a massive amount of useful information in the topic health which will
help me strive to be the best health educator as I possibly can be.
Word Count: 1510
Reference list:

Germov, John. "Second opinion: an introduction to health sociology| NOVA. The

University of Newcastle's Digital Repository." (2014).
World Health Organization's . 2005. What is health promotion? . [ONLINE] Available at:
https://www.google.com.au/webhp?
gfe_rd=cr&ei=Fh5NV9OrBcHN8geKr5joDg&gws_rd=ssl#q=health+promotion%5C. [Accessed
31 May 2016].

HLPE1540
Assignment 1

Student ID: Student ID: 2166013

Sarah Johnston