Fitness puts a great deal of emphasis on the individual and their choices. However, the environment that people live in has an effect on their behavior. To effectively change our habits for the better, we should learn to include the big picture in which they occur.
Include The Context
Risk factors are used to determine the chance that a person will develop a disease or injury. A sedentary lifestyle, for example, is a risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, and more. Sugar is a risk factor for a similar litany of diseases and ailments.1
Identifying risk factors is clearly important, but Maureen Miller, an infectious disease epidemiologist with training in medical anthropology, argues that this is only the first step. She contends that for the information to be useful it must be placed in perspective. “Smoking, for example, is a huge risk factor for cancer. That’s a great place to start, but it’s only the beginning. We need to look at why people smoke. What are the cultural influences? What are the contexts in which it happens? If you want to change something, the big picture has to be considered.”
No Time To Stay In Shape?
Consider the average American’s physical activity levels. According to the CDC, sixty percent of Americans do not meet the recommendation, and a lack of time and convenience are commonly given reasons. 2 At the same time, Americans are working more and taking less vacation and leisure time than in the past.3 4 One might reasonably ask if a culture that prioritizes work above all else can simultaneously expect high levels of physical activity?
A Gallup Busniess Journal article suggests not. According to a Gallup survey, eighty-five percent of employers with a workforce of 1,000 or more offer wellness programs, but only sixty percent of employees are aware of them. Of those, only forty percent make use of them. To improve these numbers, Gallup suggests, requires looking at more than just what is on offer and whether or not individuals take advantage. Do companies encourage time away from the office for wellness purposes? Do managers draw attention to the programs and make them a priority? Are superiors and peers modeling the best behavior for each other? In other words, does the company culture create an environment that is conducive to wellness?
Make Fitness A Part Of The Big Picture
Here is the takeaway. To make real strides in health and fitness, don’t forget to consider the bigger picture. What parts of your life help you make healthy choices and what parts don’t? Can you find ways to make healthier choices easier choices? As Maureen says, “It can’t be only about the individual. Most people need an environment that assists them in some way.”
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