Physical health and emotional/physical behaviors

Physical Health and Emotional/Physical Behaviors

Jonathan Jordan
Hesse
PPE 310
12/2/16

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Introduction
Physical Health, it is either a concern in your life or just another part of your day and
there are several ways to improve their physical health and overall wellbeing. Improving
physical health can limit the emotional/physical behaviors that affect our physical health. From
stress, drama, weight, drugs, abuse, and etc. many of these behaviors are hard to overcome and
for the youth, it can be challenging to fight against many temptations. In addition, the students at
Lovonya Dejean, may be impacted by several emotional and physical behaviors but physical
health is the least of their worries. So looking at how emotional and physical behaviors can
affects a persons physical health but it can also affect their performance in and out of the
classroom. Lovonya Dejean, a school in the ghetto where minorities are the majority and the
behaviors of the students can be up and down, as the 7th and 8th graders are at the in-between
stage of transitioning from childhood to adolescent. So considering students have not fully
grasped the concept of self-control and understanding of themselves, the students behaviors can
vary on a daily basis. I have had a hands on experience as a volunteer and noticed several
students behaviors may be linked to outside factors. Likewise, to address this issue in the school
and promote a healthy well-being, the best method would be developing a Health wellness
program. The program will be aimed to help students gain a hands on experience as well as
understanding of the importance of physical health. Students will learn the positive and
negative impact emotional/physical behaviors have on their overall health. Therefore, improving
the physical health of students through a Health wellness program will foster self-control and the
understanding of emotional and physical behaviors that can impact a persons daily life.
Review of current literature

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Article: Family structure and adolescent physical health, behavior, and emotional wellbeing.
In this article it was used to explain the how family structure can effect a persons
physical health, emotions, and behavior. Everyone does not grow up with a perfect family and a
white picket fence in the front yard so depending on the family structure of adolescents can
produce a poor well-being as some families are single parents or caregivers. In the study the
results are not shown for two parent families as there is almost majority of the time a positive
relation between the two. So the research focused on single families and caregivers to help
identify the relation to a familys structure and the overall wellbeing of an adolescent. For
example, in the study the methods that were used data from a PSID and CDS, the PSID provided
data from areas of employment, income, wealth, housing and food expenditures, family
composition, marriage, fertility, and program participation. While on the other hand, the CDS
provided information on the physical health, emotional well-being, and academic achievement of
children and adolescents. Moreover, the results helped aided to defining physical health,
behavior, and emotional well-being of adolescents as the data showed that children in single
family homes are affected the most because of family structure.

Article: Using physical exercises to improve mental health

Furthermore, exercise is obviously connected to physical health and in this article, it
explains the importance of exercise and physical activity and how it can improve mental health.
Many people are not active and for the youth exercise may seem like hell even though it is
important to be active and exercise since there are many factors that can lead to mental health
problems. The research outlined many exercises that could benefit mental health from improved

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mood, self-concept and behavior. The methods that were used consisted of several strategies,
references, and data to point out recommendations and techniques to improve mental health
through exercise. Therefore, physical exercise is shown to be beneficial to improving a persons
physical health and the emotional/physical behaviors associated with mental health.

Article: Interpersonal emotional behaviors and physical health: A 20-year longitudinal

study of long-term married couples
To begin, the article examines several emotional behaviors that are related to physical
health through the study of a married couple. Relationships can be difficult and there are many
emotional behaviors that range from positive and negative behaviors that can destroy physical
health and the bond between two people. For youth relationships come and go but have an
everlasting impact on their physical health. So the article looks at married couples and how over
time their emotional and physical health were affected by the tenure of a relationship. The
method that was used was a 20-year study of married couples as the emotions and physical
health were recorded using Spaff. The data showed that conflicts led to health problems in
relationships over time that were caused by the ongoing wear and tear of martial conflict. This
can be common for youth as a month of dating someone can seem like several years to the young
mind. In the end, this article highlights several emotional problems that are related to physical
health, while showing there are many interventions that can be used to improve physical health.

Article: Methods to measure physical activity behaviors in health education

In this article purpose is to provide different methods of measuring behaviors in health
education. The Health wellness program will use several of these measures to help students

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understand behaviors impacting their physical health. So from test, observations, and recordings
there are many factors to use to measure physical activity to help improve a persons physical
health. Using the measures mentioned in health education can be complicated since the data mat
range by demographics, studies, and activities but narrowing down the right measuring tool can
help show the relation of physical health to emotional/physical behaviors. Looking at methods
that were listed provided tools to use when evaluating someones, physical activity but also
explained the process that occurs to help understand how a wellness program might work.
Nevertheless, the article is a good reference point to consider when describing how physical
health is measured as the data showed what to consider and test when looking for certain
outcomes.
Article: Emotional States and Physical Health
In this article it shows the connection of how a persons emotional state is important to
their physical health. Students may find their emotions are hard to understand but this is normal
for anyone and being in control of our emotions is even harder. The article uses a discussion
based research of several scholars that show the positive and negative impact a persons
emotional state has on their physical health. For example, the article states, people use and
abuse alcohol because of their expectations about how it will influence their emotional state,
(American Physiologist, 2000). So clearly there are emotional behaviors that affects a person
physical health that lead to physical behaviors that can have a drastic impact. Likewise, the
article shows it is important to maintain a positive emotional state to prevent the destruction of
physical health and overall well-being.
Synthesis of current literature

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The five articles brought out the importance of my topic as they provided a series of factors that
cause problems with a person physical health. From emotional state, family structure,
relationships, and exercise, adolescents should be informed why physical health is important.
The articles provide direction to make a change in physical health because anything can cause a
breakdown in a persons health. So Considering the topic of physical health and the
emotional/physical behaviors, there is only one conclusions from the articles. The youth must
become aware of the behaviors associated with physical through a health wellness program each
article related to physical health in some effort. My conclusion and take away from the articles is
simple, there are too many outside factors affecting children and lead to negative emotional and
physical behaviors. Understanding the different factors that can effect physical health is
important as family structure and marriage where two concepts presented in the articles.
Furthermore, the themes covered relate to my community plan because it promotes physical
activity and the surrounding the factors that contribute to physical health and emotional/physical
behaviors. For example, in my community there arent many opportunities promoting healthy
lifestyles and the importance of health. Establish a wellness program would greatly benefit the
community. Therefore, starting with the 7th and 8th graders at LDMS who live in a low income
and poverty area can benefit from this program to learn more about physical health and
emotional/physical behaviors.
Practical Implications
School: Lovonya Dejean Middle School

Richmond, California

7th and 8th grade

Classroom
Educational Components- I will implement the program inside and outside of the classroom to
promote physical health and the awareness of the emotional/physical behaviors. There will be a

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45 min health session on Monday. Wednesday, and Friday with the students in their physical
education class but also homeroom class if necessary. This will allow students to be educated on
the importance of maintaining their health, but also have fun learning why it is important to keep
up with their physical health. For example, in the article Motivating Behavior Change it states,
Self-monitoring and other self-regulatory techniques (goal-setting, prompting, self-monitoring,
providing feedback on performance, goal review) are consistently reported as effective behavior
change tools, (Eufic, 2014). Thus speaking, during the 45 min health session, the first 15 mins
will be displaying a physical health chart for students to complete. The chart will be a weekly
sheet that students fill out to maintain their goals and learn the emotional/physical behaviors
associated with living a non-healthy lifestyle. Then the students will have 15 mins to complete a
section of their personal health chart to identify changes, set goals, then review which goal they
will accomplish by next month. Students are expected to be accountable for the goals and
reaching their goals but during the program students will be guided and educated on how to
complete their goals. Following that, the last 15 mins will be used to get the students active with
a short review on why exercise is important for health. This activity section will consist of
stretches, games, sports, and health based workouts. For example, there will be a health relay
where students have a basket of food and must work as a team to transfer the healthy food to
their team basket on the opposite end of a basketball court. The team who correctly builds a
healthy meal will win. This will allow students to engage in understand physical health through a
fun activity.
Recognition- Starting a health program at the local middle school in Richmond will help bring
attention to the efforts in the community I am trying to make as individual but also the attention
to the fact that childhood obesity ends with adults teaching children the right healthy habits.

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Since October I have begun working in my community to make a difference in Richmond,
California, the city that raised me and the place I call home. Richmond is the first community I
want to improve to help people that live there so they do not continue to go through what I went
through. Using my organization Jordan World Care, I have become an advocate for my
community and begun applying myself by volunteering and meeting with other organizations
and schools. So the health wellness program will be one of many initiatives that highlights
problems in my community but teach children to monitor their health. The lack of a healthy
lifestyle leads to many chronic health conditions that people are unaware about and for a person
like myself who parents are at risk, I want help others before it is too late. Therefore, the
connection I have made with other organizations and the local community events I have attended
I will continue to us to spread the word of my health program, to get other advocates in my
community involved. I have talked with Lovonya Dejean about my health program idea and it is
now up to myself to make idea an action.
Event
Scheduling- For the schedule I will implement my program at the school, as I have already been
a volunteer during the lunch period helping students get the opportunity to be active and I am
currently finishing paperwork to be a substitute at lovonya Dejean. If I cannot complete the
program plan all at once I will spread, it out throughout the day where students will complete
each section at different periods during the day.
Physical Education class, Lunch period, Homeroom class
45 mins- 15 mins Information, 15 mins chart fill out, 15 mins activity
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and a Monthly review

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Marketing- For marketing I will have a health chart that will be given to students and the
community. I will also pass out a flyer to the community at local community events like farmers
market, city meetings, and social events. Then I will ask the school to include my health program
in the weekly or monthly newsletter while highlighting the efforts of students who are making
changes.
Health Chart- The health chart is designed for students to fill out two lines per each program day,
then check their progress by the end of the month, their goals by the end of the month and reflect
on the month. The chart allows students to set their own goals while monitoring their exercise
and food they eat.
Flyer- The flyer is used to invite parents and the community to get involved but also inform the
community of the health program at Lovonya Dejean Middle School.
School Newsletter- The school newsletter will be a second marketing to inform the community
but also promote the students making changes in their lifestyle.
Community
Engagement- Implementing my program at the local school will get the students of the
community involved but outside of the school, encouraging parents to follow the initiative of the
students will be the next task. The next step after getting the students involved in the program is
to apply the program to my community. Holding a monthly event for the community as an
information session can be resourceful to highlight the programs success at the school and
engage parents, students, and members of the community. This will help the community to
consider making a change in their life. For instance, in the article Improving Mental and
Emotional Health it lists six tips, Connect face-to-face with others, Get moving, Manage stress,
Let your diet support your brain, Find happiness through giving, Invest in self-care, (Smith,

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2016). So simply connecting face to face with the community can improve the engagement of the
community as a whole to work together to live a healthier lifestyle. Most people dont know the
risk and dont know how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, so I plan to educate the community in
making a change in their life.
Committee- Developing a committee within my community can allow for the community
members set up a wellness program in the community. There are several organizations within my
community, and I have applied myself to as a servant leader, to hope one day they join my cause.
I think connecting with other organizations like Richmond Main Street, who holds Zumba
classes every week can help establish a wellness program for the community. The will be many
roles of the committee to develop a program that is engaging and enticing for the community as
Zumba is hip and new but there are more avenues available to expand on. Expanding on what is
available as a committee can help improve the overall wellness of the community and awareness
of health in the community of Richmond.

Conclusion
Clearly, this is program is intended to teach the importance of physical health and bring
attention to the emotional/physical behaviors that occur from an unhealthy lifestyle. Over the
next six months I expect students to have participated in the program and begin noticing a
difference in their behaviors but also physical health. Then as the program expands to the
community I expect to show data from the students but also data on physical health and the
physical/emotional behaviors associated to continue promoting the importance of health. So
within a year I would like the program can be continued at the school but also applied to the
community. Therefore, as the program develops from year one to year 3, I would have made an

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impact in the community creating a need for change in peoples lifestyle. This program will give
students and the community tools, resources, and information to make a change in their life.
Following that by year 5 I would expect the program to expanding to other schools and
communities to help foster change in living healthy.

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Appendix A

Thank you!
Community of Richmond, California

[Recipient Name]
This weeks Healthy Stars has made an effort in changing their life.
Students at Lovonya Dejean have made an effort to change their life and
start a new path in the direction of living a healthy lifestyle. If you are a
parent or member of the community, come out and support the students
as they participate in our Health Program.

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Appendix B

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Appendix C
Weekly Health Chart
NAME:

MON: [Date]

MONTH:

Wed

[Date]

Fri:

[Date]

YEAR:

Progress [Date
:
]

Junk Food

Goal
:
[Date]

Week 1 goals

Healthy Food

Amount of Exercise

Changes for week 1

Week 2 goals

Healthy Food

Amount of Exercise

Junk Food

Changes for week 2

Week 3 goals

Healthy Food

Amount of exercise

Junk Food

Changes for week 3

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Week 4 goals

Healthy Food

Amount of Exercise

Junk food

Changes for week 4

Monthly Reflection:

Schedule
Jan 2017

Introduction- In the first month I will introduce the program to the school and students. I

will allow students to sign up for the program if they are interested.
Presentation-For my presentation I would like to present it to the 7th and 8th graders in the
multi-use room at Dejean middle school. This will be part of the introduction and getting

everyone an understanding of the program and signed up.

Nutrition Everyone will be given a handout to better understand nutrition and how they

can make changes to their diet to begin a healthier lifestyle.

Feb 2017
1st evaluation- Students will have their first evaluation and check their progress to see the
difference of living a healthy lifestyle from their physical health and emotional. Physical
behaviors.

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Community outreach- I will take the results of the first month and use it as a marketing
tool to now promote the program to the community. This will allow for members of the

community to get involved and join but also show the programs success.
Physical- Everyone will be given a handout physical workouts they can do to help

change their lifestyle.

March 2017
Community event- This will be the first event for the community to allow them to take

part in the program. It will be shortened to simply draw the interest of the community.
Cognitive- Everyone will be given a handout with tips and techniques to deal with

emotional stress.
Community presentation- The presentation will now be presented to the community to

get people to sign up and understand the program.

April 2017
Program recognition- The people in the program will recognized for their hard work.

There will be newsletter, flyers, and handouts.

Program evaluation- I will reevaluate the program to see how successfully it is working

and what changes can be made.

Social- Everyone will be given a handout of social events that are beneficial to a persons

health. For example, from bike tours, hiking, swimming, and etc.
May 2017
School and community event- There will be an event for the community and the school,
to begin bringing the community and school together. This will help show students and

the community that both are serious about changing their lifestyles.
Community recognition- Students and the community members will be recognized for

their efforts in the programs.

Emotional- Everyone will be given a handout on tips and techniques to help deal with
emotions.
June 2017

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Health chart review- Students and the community will review their progress to see their

changes.
Program completion- Students will have completed program and community members

will be finishing their program too.

Next step- turn the program for a 6-month trial to a year around program that helps
schools and communities promote living a healthy lifestyle.

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References
Haase, C. M., Holley, S. R., Bloch, L., Verstaen, A., & Levenson, R. W. (2016).
Interpersonal emotional behaviors and physical health: A 20-year longitudinal study of
long-term married couples. Emotion (Washington, D.C.), 16(7), 965-977.
doi:10.1037/a0040239
Fitzhugh, E. C. (2015). Methods to measure physical activity behaviors in health education
research. American Journal of Health Education, 46(1), 1-6.
doi:10.1080/19325037.2014.978057
Kidd, D. T., Baruth, M., Schlaff, R. A., Ode, J. J., & Callejo, D. M. (2016). Examining the
relationship between health behaviors and physical activity: 820 board #136 june 1, 2: 00
PM - 3: 30 PM. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 48(5S Suppl 1), 227-227.
doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000485683.57560.c0
Langton, C. E., & Berger, L. M. (2011). Family structure and adolescent physical health,
behavior, and emotional well-being. Social Service Review, 85(3), 323-357.
doi:10.1086/661922
Salovey, P., Detweiler, J. B., Steward, W. T., & Rothman, A. J. (2000). Emotional states
and physical health. American Psychologist, 55(1), 110-121. doi:10.1037/0003066X.55.1.110

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Stnescu, M., & Vasile, L. (2014). Using physical exercises to improve mental
health.Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 149, 921-926.
doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.08.289