Deck 20: Seciton 1: Adulthood: Biosocial Development

Question 1

You overhear a family friend state that she is confused about whether or not she should pursue hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause because of conflicting information. Discuss probable reasons for her confusion, and present the most current information.

Answer 1

While initial research correlated hormone replacement therapy with positive health outcomes such as 1) reduced risk of dementia, 2) stroke, 3) heart disease, and 4) osteoporosis (fragile bones), further research demonstrated that a third variable affecting these outcomes was likely. The higher SES of HRT-takers was actually the underlying reason for the reduced incidence of these diseases. In addition, studies indicated that prolonged use of estrogen and progesterone could actually 4) increase the risk of disease.
According to current research on HRT, benefits include 1) decreased osteoporosis, and 2) decreased symptoms of menopause, although its use is associated with an 3) increased risk for breast cancer, 4) stroke, and 5) heart disease.

Question 2

Discuss three ways in which drinking alcohol can be beneficial for one's health as well as three ways in which drinking alcohol can be dangerous to one's health.

Answer 2

Alcohol can be beneficial: People who drink wine, beer, or spirits in moderation-never more than two drinks a day-live longer than abstainers. Drinking more than that is harmful. The primary benefit is that alcohol 1) reduces coronary heart disease and 2) strokes. It 3) increases HDL (high-density lipoprotein), the "good" form of cholesterol, and 4) reduces LDL (low-density lipoprotein), the "bad" cholesterol that causes clogged arteries and blood clots. An occasional drink 5) may also lower blood pressure and 6) glucose levels.
However, a lack of moderation in drinking alcohol can be dangerous. Binge drinking 1) increases the risk of strokes and 2) high blood pressure. Furthermore, alcohol 3) destroys brain cells; 4) contributes to osteoporosis; 5) decreases fertility; and 6) underlies many suicides, homicides, and accidents. It is 7) implicated in 60 diseases, including 8) liver failure and 9) cancer of the breast, stomach, and throat.

Question 3

Identify three consequences of obesity and three ways in which nutrition relates to obesity rates.

Answer 3

The United States is the world leader in both obesity and diabetes. Excess body fat 1) increases the risk of almost every chronic disease. One example is 2) diabetes, which is rapidly becoming more common and causes eye, heart, and foot problems as well as early death. The consequences of obesity are psychological as well since overweight adults are targets of scorn and prejudice, being 3) less likely to be chosen as marriage partners, 4) as employees, and 5) even friends. The stigma endured by people who are obese may lead them to engage in unhealthy habits such as avoiding medical checkups, eating more, and exercising less.
With respect to nutrition, the typical U.S. adult 1) consumes more meat and 2) more fat and 3) less fiber than people in other parts of the world. In addition, one specific culprit in weight gain may be 4) sugar consumption, either in the form of sucrose or fructose.

Question 4

Describe how the brain is affected by senescence. Identify two implications of these changes for an individual's functioning.

Question 5

Define the terms disability and vitality and indicate how each is measured.

Question 6

Explain how senescence affects vision and hearing.

Question 7

Describe what happens to sexual responsiveness as individuals age and indicate the degree to which individuals are sexually active during adulthood.

Question 8

Your friend has a bad habit of being a couch potato, and he must become physically active to maintain his health. Drawing on the information in the text, describe the five steps in order that he would likely move through in breaking this habit and thus improving his health.

Question 9

Discuss three possible causes of infertility and three treatments that can be done for infertile couples.

Question 10

Define mortality and morbidity. Indicate how the terms are related and if there are gender differences with respect to mortality and morbidity in the United States.

Question 11

Describe at least two physical changes each in skin, in hair, in body shape, and in physical agility that individuals may experience as they age in adulthood.