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HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY

SBA

TITLE: THE LINK BETWEEN LIFESTYLE CHOICES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF

HYPERTENSION

CANDIDATE’S NAME: Rahul Victor

CANDIDATE NUMBER: 090031

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 2023 – 04 – 01

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TABLE OF CONTENT

Introduction 3

Background/Overview of Issue 3

Statement of Problem 3

Research Objective 3

Methodology 3

Presentation of Data 4

Analysis and Interpretation of Data 6

Conclusion 7

Recommendations 7

Reflections 7

Appendix 8

References 12
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INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND/OVERVIEW OF ISSUE

Hypertension is a major cause of death in Guyana. Data published by the World Health
Organisation in 2020 show that 320 deaths, corresponding to 4.45% of total deaths in Guyana
were related to hypertension.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention informs that hypertension develops overtime
because of poor lifestyle choices such as having an unhealthy diet, little or no physical activities,
smoking, alcohol consumption, etc.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Lifestyle choices play a major role in the development of hypertension.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

To determine whether these lifestyle choices: an unhealthy diet, little or no physical activities,
alcohol consumption and smoking influence the development of hypertension in persons living
in #19 Village.

METHODOLOGY

For this research, data was collected using questionnaire. This method was very simple to use
and allowed for the investigation to target a wide population.

The sample of individuals considered for the research consisted 30 hypertensive persons within
the age range of 30 years and 70 years. These individuals all resided in #19 Village at the time
this research was being conducted. The questionnaires were distributed to the participants. They
were allowed 4 days to complete them and then the questionnaires were retrieved to present,
analyse and interpret data and draw conclusions.
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PRESENTATION OF DATA

Figure 1: Table showing the kind of food that participants mostly consume

KIND OF FOOD NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

Red meat 16

Fried food 26

Vegetables and fruits 20

Salty food 21

Fatty meat 12

Beans 14

Figure 3: Pie chart showing the preference of food according to the portion size of the
participants’ plates

Chart showing food preference

according to portion size of plate
of participants

30%

70%
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Figure 2: Bar graph showing the frequency of exercise of participants

Chart showing the frequency of exercise of par-

ticipants
20
18
16
Number of participants

14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
No exercise 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Figure 4: Table showing the frequency of alcohol consumption of participants

NUMBER OF DAYS NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

0 3

1 3

2 3

3 12

4 5

5 4

6 0

7 0

Total 30
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Figure 5: Table showing the smoking consistency of participants

NUMBER OF CIGARETTES NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

I do not smoke cigarettes 7

4 0

6 0

8 0

10 4

Pack of 20 10

More than a pack of 20 9

Total 30

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Lifestyle choices have a significant role to play in the development of hypertension, as can be
seen from this research conducted in #19 Village.

Figure 1 shows the kind of foods that participants consume mostly. As is evident, many
participants eat lots of fried food and salty food. This is a major contributing factor to
hypertension since fatty deposits clog arteries, putting the heart under pressure and salt (sodium)
causes blood pressure to increase. (Northwest Houston Heart Centre, 2023)

Figure 2 illustrates the portion size of participants’ meals. 9 of the participants, accounting for
30% eat more vegetables and fruits per meal, while a striking 21 of 30 (70%) participants
consume more red meat, fatty meat, salty food and fried food per meal.

Figure 3 shows the frequency of exercise of participants. From this bar graph, it can be seen that
only 5 of 30 participants exercise at least 4 days per week, therefore they are getting some
physical workout. However, the remaining participants exercise 3 days or less and some do not
exercise at all.
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Figures 4 and 5 show the participants’ use of alcohol and tobacco cigarette, respectively. 70% of
participants consume alcohol at least 3 days per week and 76.7% of participants smoke at least
10 cigarettes per day. These alarming figures show that alcohol consumption and cigarette
smoking contribute to the development and worsening of hypertension.

CONCLUSION

From this research, data pertaining to participants’ lifestyle choices were obtained. The lifestyle
choices studied include diet, exercise, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking. The analysis
of the data leads to the conclusion that these lifestyle choices, whether singly or combined,
contribute to the development of hypertension.

RECOMMENDATIONS

After analysing the data collected, the following recommendations can be made.

1. The government should do more in educating the public about healthy lifestyle choices.
This way people can become more informed. Graphics can be used to enhance
information being conveyed.
2. Individuals need to make regular doctor visits so that they can be aware of their health
conditions and can make changes to their lifestyle.

REFLECTIONS

The research has learnt a lot from this study. While analysing and interpreting the data gathered,
the researcher has found that the lifestyle choices of people nowadays are very different from
those of people who lived in the days of his grandparents and great grandparents. This could
have been figured from the age of the participants.

From this realisation, the research has made a promise to himself to take great care of his health
by eating healthy foods, exercise regularly, avoid the use of alcohol and cigarette and just as
important as the former, surround himself with positive people.
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APPENDIX

QUESTIONNAIRE

Dear Participant,

I am a student of Lower Corentyne Secondary School and I am in Grade 11. I am

conducting a research as part of my Human and Social Biology SBA. This research seeks to

investigate the lifestyle choices that are linked with the development of hypertension. I am

kindly requesting your participation in the completion of my research.

Please answer the questions honestly and to the best of your knowledge. The information

you provide will be kept strictly confidential.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Yours truly

_________________________

(Rahul Victor)
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Please use a √ to mark the boxes you select.

1. What is your gender? Male Female

2. What is your age range?

30 – 39

40 – 49

50 – 59

60 – 70

3. What is your ethnicity?

Indian African Chinese Mixed

4. Which of these kinds of food do you eat most?

Red meat Salty food

Fatty meat Vegetables and fruits

Fried food Beans

5. If you eat red meat, fatty meat, salty food and fried food, how many days per week do

you do so?

1 2 3 4

5 6 7
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6. How many times per week do you eat vegetables, fruits and beans?

1 2 3 4

5 6 7

7. Choose one of the following according to the portion size of your plate.

I eat more meat than vegetables and fruits per meal.

I eat more vegetables and fruits than meat per meal.

8. How physically active are you?

Very active

Moderately active

Rarely active

9. How many days per week do you exercise?

2 3 4 5

10. What exercises do you do?

Running Swimming

Skipping Weight lifting

11. If you consume alcohol, how many days per week do you do so?

1 2 3 4

5 6 7
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12. How many drinks do you take when you drink?

1 2 3 4 More than 4

13. If you smoke cigarettes, how many do you smoke per day?

4 6 8 10 12 Pack of 20

14. How often do you have checkups at the doctor?

Every month Every 2 months

Every 6 months Every year

15. What medications does your doctor prescribe for you to take for high blood pressure?

Atenolol Enalapril Ramipril

Metoprolol Captopril Amlodipine

Other

16. If any other medication, please state names.

___________________________________________________________________________

17. How well do these medications keep your high blood pressure under control?

Very well Hardly so Not at all

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REFERENCE

Northwest Houston Heart Centre (2023). The link between a poor diet and hypertension.
https://www.houstonheartcenter.com/blog/the-link-between-a-poor-diet-and-
hypertension#:~:text=High%2Dfat%2C%20high%2Dcholesterol,enough%20blood%20to
%20your%20extremities.
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CSEC - Human and Social Biology

SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT

Mark Scheme

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA PROFILE POINTS

ALLOTTED
Use of
Knowledge
(UK)

1. Background/Overview of Issue (2) 2

● Provides a clear, detailed description of a current health-related or 2 2

environmental issue

Description is detailed but lacks clarity (1mark)

2. Problem Statement (2) 1

● Research problem is stated clearly 1 1

● Research problem is in an appropriate form - an observation of question 1 0

3. Research Objective (2) 2

 Objective of the research is linked to the issue 1 1

● Objective of the research is realistic/feasible 1 1

4. Methodology (8) 5

● Sample used is identified and clearly described 2 2

● Data collection instrument is identified and clearly described 2 1

● Method of data collection is identified and clearly described 2 2

● Method of data collection is adequately justified 1 1

1 0
● ONE limitation of data collection method clearly stated

5. Presentation of Data (5) 5

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● Data is presented in an appropriate form using tables, graphs and charts 1 1

● Data is presented in at least TWO forms 2 2

● Form(s) used for presentation of data is correctly labelled 1 1

● Data presented are accurate 1 1

6. Analysis and Interpretation of Data (5) 5

● Data is analyzed using appropriate calculations/statistics/themes 1 1

● Data is summarized accurately 1 1

● At least TWO statements of findings based on data presented 2 2

● Findings are consistent with analyses 1 1

7. Conclusion (2) 2

● Conclusion succinctly summarizes the project 1 1

● Conclusion is logical and based on findings 1 1

8. Recommendations (4) 4

● At least TWO recommendations proposed 2 2

● Recommendations are realistic 1 1

● Recommendations are informed by findings 1 1

9. Reflection: Candidate states the following information: (6) 2

● Two lessons learnt after undertaking the project 2 1

● One way in which the lesson learnt could be applied to his/her personal life 1 1

● One way in which the project could be improved 1 0

● ONE social impact and ONE economic impact the issue could have on 2 0
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his/her school or community if not rectified.

10. Overall Presentation (4) 4

● Layout of report follows the correct format inclusive of cover page, table of 2 2
contents, bibliography, and appendices
If layout includes only two elements - 1 mark only

1 1
● Bibliographic information contains the names of authors, publishers and
dates of publication

1 1
● Consistent use of correct spelling and grammar

Total 40 33