Health and Behavior Interaction Health and Behavior: The Interplay of Biological and Societal Influences
As stated in the opening paragraph of the Executive Summary of “Health and Behavior: The Interplay of Biological and Societal Influences”:
“Health and behavior are related in myriad ways, yet those interactions are neither simple nor straightforward. Given the wide acknowledgment that cigarette smoking is linked to a variety of deadly diseases, for example, why do people start smoking? And given equally convincing evidence connecting excess weight with cardiovascular disease and other health problems, why are so many people far above their optimal weight? Does such unhealthy behavior indicate a simple lack of willpower? How does the social environment influence these behaviors? Does stress make people sick, or does illness produce stress?”