The effect of lifestyle on some non-communicable diseases: They can be:

The idea

This statement defines the categories of risk factors that increase the rate of non-communicable diseases. Risk factors can be aspects of a person's lifestyle, such as poor diet, smoking, lack of exercise, and excessive alcohol intake. Alternatively, they can be substances in the person's body or environment. Examples include asbestos fibres accumulating in the lungs, tar from smoking, or environmental exposures like air pollution. Inherited genetic factors are not included in this specific classification. Understanding these categories helps scientists identify correlations, determine causal mechanisms, and provide public health advice on disease prevention.

What earns the marks

• Identify aspects of a person's lifestyle as risk factors, giving examples such as diet, smoking, or exercise levels.
• Identify substances in a person's body as risk factors, such as asbestos fibres or tar accumulated in the lungs.
• Identify substances in the environment as risk factors, such as air pollution or secondhand smoke.
• Explain that these risk factors are linked to an increased rate of non-communicable diseases.
• Provide a concrete example linking a category to a disease, such as asbestos in the lungs increasing the risk of cancer.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Including inherited or genetic factors as answers for this specific clause.

  Put it right: The specification strictly categorises these as lifestyle aspects or substances in the body/environment.

• Confusing substances in the body with naturally occurring chemicals.

  Put it right: This refers to harmful substances introduced and retained in the body, like asbestos.

• Stating that a risk factor guarantees the disease will occur.

  Put it right: Risk factors only increase the probability or rate of the disease.

Exam tips

• If asked for categories of risk factors, explicitly state 'aspects of lifestyle' and 'substances in the body or environment'.
• Use asbestos in the lungs as a clear example of a substance in the person's body acting as a risk factor.