Week 1 Question 1
Do you have any healthy habits? What role have culture and environment played in the healthy or unhealthy habits that you have formed?
I believe I have fairly healthy eating habits. I am Hispanic, and a lot of the food we eat tend to be high in fat and high in carbohydrates. I avoid eating tortillas if I eat rice, or vice versa, and I also like to cook with little oil. I also like to incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables into our foods, either in traditional dishes, or making up my own. Even though I love my cultures food, I enjoy trying new things that are not traditional to me.
Week 1 Question 2
Choose a society from the map. Within that society, characterize one of the social science principles we identified in this learning block. As a reminder, the social science principles we focus on in this course are: social roles, social institutions, social norms, and beliefs and values.
For example, what is a social role that exists in Okinawa? Who occupies this role?
In Okinawa, the women are held to a higher standard. They are considered the respected spiritual leaders of the family and they often organize events and gatherings. Most families live close to each other, providing a tight knit community.
Week 1 Question 3
Provide an example of the environment influencing the population in an area of increased longevity. Then provide an example of the population in that area influencing its environment.
In the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, the water is filtered through limestone, providing lots of minerals to the water itself and to the fruits and vegetables. This food is rich in vitamins and provides all the nutrition to the people that reside here. By providing the necessary nutrition, people don't overindulge in food, and are leaner and healthier.
Week 1 Question 4
Think about factors affecting your lifestyle in comparison to the areas of increased longevity. Characterize two social science principles in your day-to-day life. Use the two principles that you did not describe in response to the earlier question. For example, you could describe some social norms in your day-to-day life.
Some factors that affect my lifestyle is the constant driving from one place to another. I live
in San Diego, I live on the north side of the county and I work on the south side. I constantly drive 40 minutes to over 1 hr, each way from home to work and back. In other countries, like Sardinia, they walk so much, for work and leisure. Here at home, just going to the grocery store is a 15 minute drive. I wish the community I lived in was more accessible by foot, this way it would be easier to be physically active.
Week 1 Question 5
From a social science perspective, what are three factors that shape your day-to-day life? For example, you could describe some factors that influence your social interactions, your access