Individual determinants

• Individual factors

  Factors that are unique to each person that can determine their level of health
• Knowledge and skills

  The level of understanding and capability we have for making choices that affect our health → develop health literacy
• Attitudes

  The way they behave - level of knowledge likely influences the attitudes they develop and the way they behave
• Genetics

  The genes we inherit from our parents
• Health literacy

  An individual's ability to select healthier or protective health options
• Positive effects of health literacy

  • Being able to read food labels and ascertain if a product is suitable as part of a well balanced diet
• Reduced ability to select options that promote health

  More likely to select a risk behaviour
• Negative effects of reduced health literacy

  • Young people who do not have the education on the effects of drugs and alcohol are much more likely to use them in harmful quantities and contexts
• Good health

  Can often be achieved through perseverance, resilience, self beliefs/self-efficacy and determination
• Factors that influence attitudes

  • Family
  • Peers
  • Education
  • The media
  • Culture
• Self efficacy

  Whether we feel capable of making lifestyle changes that may improve health
• Individuals who value and prioritise health

  • More likely to achieve better health e.g. put in extra effort to exercise and cook nutritious meals
  • Have a high level of resilience
• Having negative attitudes towards health

  • Can lead to unhealthy habits such as smoking and excessive drinking, as well as ignorance to one's own health
  • Can lead to many negative effects on health such as diseases and mental health issues