Hi everyone and welcome back to my Blog. Today I’m going to be reflecting upon my research throughout the semester by answering some questions!
a) What challenges did you overcome throughout this inquiry project? How did you go about overcoming these challenges?
One major challenge was navigating the overwhelming amount of information available on lifestyle, diet, and chronic diseases. It was difficult to distinguish between credible sources and misinformation, especially with blogs and opinions found online. To overcome this, I relied on university journals, official health organization websites, and academic databases to make sure my sources were trustworthy. Another challenge was narrowing the focus of the inquiry. The topic is broad, covering various diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. To manage this, I chose to focus on a few key chronic diseases (diabetes, cancer, and a few more) and how specific lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, smoking, and stress, affected their development and management. This helped make the research more focused, manageable and easy to follow.
b) How did this inquiry change the way you think?
This inquiry shifted my perspective on health from being purely biological or genetic to something much more within our control. I now understand that while genetics do play a role, daily choices (like what we eat, how active we are, how much we sleep, and how we manage stress) are powerful determinants of long-term health. It also made me think more about the social factors that influence lifestyle choices. I also realized how interconnected our personal choices are with broader systems. For example, I used to think that choosing a healthy diet was purely an individual decision, but now I see that access to healthy food, time for exercise, and education about health are deeply influenced by socioeconomic status, location, and culture. This made me think more empathetically about others who may face barriers to making healthy choices, and it challenged me to consider solutions that go beyond individual behavior and look at systemic change. Most importantly, this inquiry helped me see health as a state of balance that we can maintain through our daily habits.
c) How did this investigation impact your future decisions?
On a personal level, this inquiry has already started to influence the way I make everyday choices. I’m more mindful about what I eat. I’ve also become more consistent with physical activity and sleep, and I’ve started incorporating small stress-management techniques like mindfulness into my routine. Looking ahead, this research will influence how I approach future decisions about my career and how I contribute to my community. Whether I go into healthcare, education, policy, or another field, I now feel a sense of responsibility to help others understand the power of preventive health. I’m also considering volunteering, and pursuing a career where I can directly impact public health outcomes. This investigation gave me a clearer sense of how the choices I make now can shape not only my future but potentially influence the health and well-being of those around me.
d) What impact will this investigation have on others locally and/or globally?
Locally, this investigation can raise awareness in my community about how simple, everyday choices, like eating healthier, being more active, or managing stress, can prevent or manage chronic diseases. By sharing this knowledge, I can help others make informed decisions about their health and support initiatives like healthier school meals or community fitness programs. Globally, it connects to the broader effort to reduce chronic diseases, which are now leading causes of death worldwide. In many countries, especially those facing quick lifestyle changes, this kind of information can support public health campaigns, policy changes, and education efforts. Sharing these insights can contribute to a global movement toward prevention, better healthcare access, and healthier living for all.
That concludes my 3-year journey with PA-MOJA and butterfly effect, thank you so much for reading along!
