Health Survey Study Guide: 8th Grade
Nutrition:
 Foods high in protein are usually found from your poultry food
group. These include chicken, fish, steak, eggs, beans and etc.
 Many of your fruits and vegetables contain a good source of vitamins
like A & C.
 The dairy food group usually provides an excellent source of calcium.
Foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt are a few that fall in this category.
 Most people order their steaks and burgers well done to ensure their
own safety by not getting sick from undercooked meats.
 If someone needs to gain weight by changing their diet they should
consult a doctor before doing so.
 The FDA stands for Food and Drug Administration. The FDA is
responsible for protecting and promoting public health through
the regulation and supervision of food safety, tobacco
products, dietary supplements, prescription and over-thecounter pharmaceutical drugs. They determine whether or not a
drug is prescription or over-the-counter.
Drugs:
 Alcohol is considered a drug by many, more specifically a depressant.
The increased use of alcohol can have you do stuff you normally
would not do. It increases the risk of suicide in all age groups. It is
always a good idea to refer a teenage drinker to a responsible,
trusted adult or a teacher/counselor.
 The use of tobacco can cause minor to serious health problems and
can sometimes result in death. Cigars and cigarettes can cause indoor
air pollution, which results in 2nd hand smoke.
 In the United States, you must be 21 years of age to purchase
alcohol. And 18 years of age to purchase tobacco products.
 Never inhale fumes from paint or markers. Kids might think it is cool
but it can have negative effects on the body.
Diseases:
 Common diseases in adolescent kids come from a variety of sources
and in many different ways.
 Lyme Disease is caused by tick bites. Wooded areas are popular for
kids to hangout. Long sleeved clothes can help prevent ticks from
attaching to your skin and biting you.
 Bulimia and anorexia start in the teen years. It is more prevalent with
females. They are both labeled eating disorders but are not the same
thing. Bulimia is when a person eats much food in one setting and
then purges. Anorexia is when someone restricts his or her food
intake and can be obsessed with having a thin frame. Having one
does not mean you have the other.
 No one should take pills or partake in an eating disorder to
accommodate weight loss. This can cause damage to your digestive
system.
 STD’s are contracted through partaking in sexual activity. Some are
viral and some are bacterial. HPV, HIV and genital herpes are all virus
that can be treated with medication but not cured. Syphilis,
chlamydia and gonorrhea are bacterial STD’s that can be fully cured
with medication.
Stress:
 Stress is something that everyone deals with. What differs from
person to person is how to deal with stress. Everyone needs to have
his or her own, successful way of dealing with stress, without yelling,
expressing anger or getting upset.
 Many people find exercising a great way to relieve stress. Some listen
to music. Others may just relax and watch a movie.
 Most everyone has at least one person they talk to when they are
stressed. This person needs to be someone you can trust. A parent or
best friend would be a good choice for discussing problems and
stress with.
Personal Health:
 Personal health deals with what is healthy for you as an individual.
Starting in middle school, students, will experiment with ear and
body piercings. In high school most students are exposed to tattoos.
 It is good to know what infections may look like if you choose to get
piercings or tattoos. Swollen or red areas on the skin could indicate
an infection. It is best to consult a physician or parent about some of
the health risks before going through.
 Working out is important to living a healthy life style. Another name
for being inactive is called sedentary. Choosing not to be involved in
any physical activity daily will increase your chances of getting
cardiovascular diseases.
 If someone is unconscious and you need to give them CPR, the Good
Samaritan laws protect you from being sued for helping that person
when acting in good faith.
 The media can be a big factor in you depicting your self-image.
Magazines, commercials and the Internet want to make you feel that
you must be a certain way to be successful or attractive. Be
conscious of this and know the media does not always portray the
truth.
Choosing the Best Way:
 Boys and girls show affection toward each other everyday. Talking
with the opposite sex, hanging out regularly, smiling at one another
or even an occasional hug are all ways of showing affection at school
while being appropriate at the same time. Holding hands and kissing
is inappropriate behavior not only while in school but for early teens
in general.
 Knowing the recourses available to you is essential for being
prepared for any situation. Health textbooks, the health department
or a doctor/nurse are the most reliable resources when it comes to
being properly informed about relationship and the progressive
stages.
 Communication is very important. Really how we communicate
means all the difference. Most people want others to believe that
what they are saying is what they actually expect. Be direct. Make
eye contact and say things firmly. No means no! Always use a
respectable voice when trying to exhibit good communication skills.
 A female can get pregnant the very first time she has sexual
intercourse. Babies with teen moms are at a higher risk for health
problems than those in their 20’s.
 Most teens are not sexually active. The number of teens who are is
increasing each year though. Choosing to be abstinent is the best
choice for guaranteeing you cannot get pregnant or get an STD.