RISK OF DISEASE DUE TO HEREDITY AND LIFESTYLE PROJECT1.
Interview of Family Member:
Interview two family relatives or individuals who have been influential in your life to gather the
following information to determine your potential to develop diseases that could be life-threatening
and/or life-limiting (i.e. heart disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cancer, etc.). You will use this
information, along with your personal dietary and lifestyle behaviors to evaluate your potential for
development of these diseases and to develop a dietary and lifestyle action plan for the future as you
complete this course.
a. Answer the following questions:
1. Current age of relatives or influential individuals
2. Age(s) at death, or current age, of close relatives (i.e. parents, grandparents, etc.) or
individuals
3. What diseases and causes of death have been experienced by this “side” of your family?
2.
Analysis of Dietary Habits of Family Member
a. How often did they eat per day?
b. Do/did they eat any of the following?
1. Whole grains or processed bread and cereal
2. Vegetables
3. Fruits
4. Dairy/condiments
5. Types of meat (beef, chicken, turkey, fish) and frequency of consumption of these and
eggs per week.
Analysis of Physical Activity and Lifestyle Habits of Family Member
a. What is/was the occupation of these relatives or individuals? What types and amount of physical
activity does/did this require?
b. Do/did they engage in any recreational exercise? If so, what activities do/did they perform?
c. Did they engage in organized exercise? What type of exercise did they perform? How long
were their exercise sessions?
d. Do/did they smoke? If so, how many packs/cans per day?
e. Do/did they drink alcohol? If so, how many drinks per day or week?
3.
4.
Your Personal Dietary and Behavior Habits
a. How often do you eat per day?
b. How many servings do you typically eat per day of the following (refer to your dietary analysis
data to answer this question)
1. Whole grains or processed bread and cereal
2. Vegetables
3. Fruits
4. Dairy products/condiments
5. Meat, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs
c. How often do you engage in physical activity per week?
1. Average length of each exercise session
2. Average intensity of each session
Assignment: Family Health
Assignment: Your task is to write a two-page paper on a family health risk factor that you discovered when
you conducted an interview of a family member. Some of the common health risks that run in families include
the following: Abnormal CHD profile, abnormal ECG/EKG, age, diabetes, excessive body fat, gender, high
blood pressure, inflammation, physical inactivity personal/family history, stress and tobacco use.
Your essay should include the following sections:
1. Introduction (one paragraph): The opening paragraph should provide a brief overview of your family
health history and should identify and describe ONE key health risk factor that you plan to discuss in
your paper.
2. Description of Risk Factor (multiple paragraphs): This section of your paper should discuss the signs,
symptoms, and preventative measures of this risk factor. This information should come primarily from:
a. Textbook
b. Internet-be careful of legitimate sources
c. American Heart Association website
d. WebMD
e. Health Journals
3. Discussion of Risk Factor and Lifestyle (multiple paragraphs): The final section of your essay should
discuss how this risk factor relates to you and what you plan to do to implement a healthy lifestyle
program.
Writing Checklist:
Once you have written your essay, use the following checklist to make sure you have written a successful
essay.
_____ Paper is typed, double-spaced, using a Times New Roman 12 point font.
_____ Paper includes details that are accurate and comprehensive. Details should come from both your own
experiences (and interview) and from sources you have consulted.
_____ Information you used from other written sources are documented appropriately.
(For help with documenting borrowed sources, go to the following link:
http://www.lonestar.edu/library/research-help.htm )
_____ The essay is well-organized. Major points are stated clearly at the beginning of each paragraph, and
transitional words are used to help the reader move from point to point.
_____ The essay has been edited and proofread to avoid fragments, run-ons, comma splices, incorrect verb
forms, and misspellings. For assistance with grammar, please go to the Writing SEA Center, located in
the Learning Center.)
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