Blog#9 Our bodies

What role does the media play in how we feel about our bodies? How can health educators help to prepare effective messages that counter some of the negative images and ideas generated in the media? Do you think that the media is embracing more diversity in body shape, size and color than what was acceptable years ago?


This is always a touchy subject, but media does play a major role in how we think we should look. Bottom line is every one's body is shaped differently and I can really elaborate on both sides of this where as I weighed 138lbs not to long ago and I now way 230lbs(just lost 5lbs by the way). The media leads us to believe that being thinner makes you more desirable and more attractive its not right to say that, but it is true. When I was 138lbs I received more attention from members of the opposite sex and everything was just easier as far as my job and me just having more energy to do things and having more confidence in myself. Now, that I am heavier I don't really get the same type of attention, but I am still confident in myself and that is all that matters. Health educators can counter the negative images and ideas by focusing on the positives like promoting confidence and building that up instead of tearing it down like the media does. Also Health Educators can provide information to those who want to learn about the benefits of losing weight if they chose to and  for those who are overweight help them and let them know what they can do to get healthy and stay healthy. I think the media is starting to become more diverse as far as body shape, size, and color is concerned because now curves are in every size, shape, and form and that is how it should be because I stated before we are all shaped differently. Even though curves are in the media always goes back to thinner being a winner and that should not always be the case.

Blog#8 A cultural perspective of menopause

Menopause is said to effect everyone in the same way, but this not the case. All women are not the same and do not incur the same symptoms as others. According to everydayhealth.com different cultures of women experience different symptoms when they are going thought the "change." For example, Caucasian women reported that they have difficulty sleeping, more muscle aches, and are more irritable then African American women who experience night sweats and hot flashes. Women in Nigeria and Japan experience frozen shoulder, which is limited and painful shoulder mobility. Then there are the culture of Mayan Indian women who little to no symptoms at all with menopause and they see menopause as freedom. I can understand that because when you hit puberty your body changes and it is working overtime to keep up with you at your younger age, but once you get older it doesn't have to work as hard and can actually relax and slow down. Menopause is a positive change and I like that the Mayan Indian women look at it as freedom because in a way it is and as you can see menopause is not a size fits.

Shenita Jolivette

Reference:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/menopause/menopause-and-culture.aspx

Blog#7 STD's

Many people equate STD's with immorality, promiscuous behavior and low social status. What are your thoughts on this statement?


STD's can be contracted in many ways and in different situations such as rape. Immorality does play its part, but its really for those who have their beliefs and who don't about sex before marriage. Promiscuous behavior, I can see being the closet reason for getting an STD because now a days young people are sleeping around with more and more people and not protecting themselves that is why all of these STD cases and babies are increasing. Low social status could be a factor just not as major as promiscuous behavior because social status does not necessarily mean that you will not contract STD's you ultimately have to make the choice to protect yourself because just because you have money and are well educated doesn't mean that you can't contract an STD. As I get older I am realizing that trust is not something that can be taken lightly especially in a relationship and ultimately you have to take care of you. I always make sure that I get my yearly exams and that I use protection and I feel that people who are single or in relationships should do the same regardless if your partner has pledged his/her undying love for you because that doesn't mean that they won't cheat and you won't end up with an unexpected STD. So just make sure you protect yourself.

Shenita Jolivette

Routine Prenatal Testing

Prenatal testing/screening is administered in order to determine whether a fetus has an increased risk for a genetic disease. These tests can help identify substances that might indicate a genetic disease. If this is a routine testing/screening then this could help the parents be more aware of what's to come if the child has a genetic disease and also to prepare them mentally and physically for the challenges ahead. This diagnosis will also give them time to learn and research what type of disease the child has and what can be done to cure it or help with making the child's life easier or it could just give the parents a piece of mind if the baby is normal and healthy. Going forward this should definitely be researched further and added to the OBGYN exams.

Shenita Jolivette

Source: webmd.com