Risk Behaviors
Name one of the six categories of teen risk behaviors.
Tobacco use, unhealthy dietary behaviors, inadequate physical activity, alcohol and drug use, sexual behaviors, or behaviors leading to unintentional injury/violence.
What is abstinence?
Avoiding harmful behaviors completely.
What does “cumulative risk” mean?
The increased effect of a risk behavior when it’s repeated or combined with others.
True or False — Ignoring warning signs of illness is a healthy choice.
False.
Name the three main influences on health: heredity, environment, and ______.
Behavior.
Which of these is not a risk behavior: A) Alcohol use B) Lack of exercise C) Eating fruits and vegetables D) Tobacco use?
Eating fruits and vegetables.
Name one risk behavior that abstinence helps you avoid.
Substance abuse, sexual risk behaviors, tobacco, alcohol, etc.
Eating too much junk food every day increases the chance of what long-term health problems?
Obesity, diabetes, heart disease.
Give one way teens can take responsibility for their health.
Eating healthy foods, getting regular exercise, wearing seatbelts, avoiding drugs, visiting the doctor, etc.
Which of these can you control most: heredity, environment, or behavior?
Behavior.
Give two examples of risk behaviors that can affect physical health.
Examples: smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity, alcohol or drug abuse, unsafe driving, etc.
How does abstinence promote physical and emotional health?
It prevents diseases, unplanned pregnancy, and addiction, and supports self-control and mental well-being.
Why is cumulative risk more dangerous than a single risk behavior?
Risks build up over time and cause greater damage to health.
Which is the best example of responsibility: A) Skipping a doctor visit B) Eating healthy snacks C) Avoiding seatbelts?
B) Eating healthy snacks.
How does behavior influence health differently than heredity?
Behavior is based on choices and can be controlled, heredity is inherited and cannot be changed.
Which category of risk behavior is most related to car accidents among teens?
Behaviors that lead to unintentional injuries (e.g., reckless driving, not wearing a seatbelt, distracted driving).
True or False — Abstinence means avoiding all risk behaviors.
True.
Give a personal or community example of a cumulative risk and explain it.
Example: Texting and driving every day increases crash risk. Community example: Air pollution exposure over years increases respiratory illness.
How can setting goals help you take charge of your health?
Goals provide motivation and direction for making healthy choices (e.g., exercising regularly).
Give one example of how environment affects health.
Clean air/water, access to healthcare, safe neighborhood, supportive family, etc.
Explain why risk behaviors are especially dangerous during adolescence.
Because teens are still developing physically and emotionally, and repeated risky choices can lead to long-term health problems or life-threatening situations.
Give an example of a real-life situation where practicing abstinence protects your health.
Choosing not to drink alcohol at a party, or not engaging in unsafe sexual activity.
Which of these best shows cumulative risk: A) Skipping breakfast once B) Smoking one cigarette C) Smoking daily for years D) Exercising daily
C) Smoking daily for years.
Explain one way you personally take responsibility for your health and why it matters.
Open-ended — students should explain a personal healthy behavior (ex: exercising daily, staying drug-free).
Explain why behavior is considered the most important influence on health.
Because it is the factor individuals can control — choices (like diet, exercise, avoiding drugs) have the greatest impact on overall wellness.