Assignment:
Introduction to Health and Health Behaviors
Overview
This semester you have learned about the physiological and behavioral aspects of health and well-being and in the Behavior Change Lectures you learned about health behaviors and SMART goals.
In this assignment, you will apply knowledge of health, health behaviors, and SMART goals to your own life by choosing one health-related behavior and writing a SMART goal.
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate understanding of behavior change concepts by writing a SMART health behavior change goal.
- Identify one or more positive health outcomes associated with a lifestyle health behavior change.
Assignment Writing and Formatting Guidelines:
Failure to adhere to these guidelines will result in a loss of points.
? Assignments must be typed with 1" margins and 12-point font (Times New Roman).
? Do not put your name on your paper. Moodle will know it is your paper when you submit it.
? Number each question's response (1, 2, references). Do not include the instructions in your responses.
Example template of a submitted paper.
1. Here is my answer for the question 1. This answer will likely be several paragraphs long. I'll start answering my question in complete sentences. I'll double check the instructions to make sure I am answering every question under question 1.
2. Here is my answer for question 2. This answer will have several parts and I'll likely break it up into a few paragraphs. I'll double check the instructions to make sure I am answering every question under question 2. I will include an in-text citation.
References
This is my reference page formatted according to APA format.
? Assignments may be written in first person. However, please be clear, avoid slang, and use complete sentences and proper grammar.
? Assignments must be submitted via Moodle in a Microsoft Office compatible file format (.doc, .docx). Other file types including pdf or pages will not be accepted and late penalties may apply upon submission the correct file type. Please refer to your syllabus for due dates and late policies.
? Use APA format for in-text citations and reference formatting. All cited information must be paraphrased and properly cited; do not use direct quotes.
1. Identify a health behavior you would like to change.
Identify ONE area of health-related behavior that you want to change based on the "Dimensions of Health Assessment" survey you took at the beginning of the semester. Based on how you responded to the assessment, choose one dimension of health (physical, social, emotional, etc.) where your score could be improved. Within your chosen dimension of health, identify one health-related behavior you would like to change. This can include dietary behaviors or food choices, physical activity, sleep, stress management, or another behavior related to the topics covered in HS 2000. Weight management (i.e. gaining weight, losing weight) is not permitted as topic in this assignment.
Briefly explain...
- what dimension of health you chose and reference your Dimensions of Health Assessment
- within your chosen dimensions of health the specific health behavior you will focus on
- what you are currently doing regarding this health behavior (be specific!)
- and why you would like to change this health behavior.
HINTS for this section of the paper:
- Make sure you have identified one health behavior, not two or more.
- Double check that the behavior you have chosen is a health behavior, not just a behavior.
2. Create and explain a SMART goal.
After reflecting on your behaviors, identify ONE new behavior that you will implement, that will help improve your chosen dimension of health as identified in your first completion of the Dimensions of Health Assessment. Create a SMART goal: Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Realistic, Time-frame specific.
- Write your SMART goal in one sentence.
- Explain how your goal meets each criteria. That is, what makes it specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, and time-frame specific? You should have an explanation for each criteria. In particular, be sure to thoroughly explain why your goal is realistic. In order to complete the health behavior change during the semester, your time-frame is required to be 4 weeks.
- Explain why you have chosen this specific behavior, linking it to a specific recommendation or health outcome, as appropriate. For example, if you want to increase your intake of fruit, identify how many servings of fruit MyPlate recommends for your age/sex. Or if you would like to increase the quantity of sleep you are getting, identify a health benefit of getting more sleep. You must use and cite at least one credible source in this section (include in-text citation and full reference on the reference page).
SMART goals should not relate to body weight, body composition, or calorie intake. Not only are they not appropriate for this assignment, they will likely be outcomes, not behaviors. In addition, be aware that goals relating to performance indicators (e.g. time it takes to run a mile) are also outcomes, not behaviors. If you wish to get more sleep, for example, you have to change your bed time or time you wake up.
HINTS for this section of the paper:
- Spend adequate time reviewing the lecture notes on SMART goals BEFORE developing your SMART goal.
- Before submitting your paper, double check that you have stated your SMART goal in one sentence AND explained how your SMART goal meets each criteria. Be specific and provide evidence.
References and in-text citations
You must have at least one, credible source. Use APA format for in-text citation and for the references. In your writing, be sure you paraphrase!
HINTS for this section of the paper:
- Don't wait until the last minute to format your references.
- Double check your source is credible.
- If you are using a citation generator, double check the citation for APA formatting.