Lesson Plan: B1.3.10

Hamble Lesson Observation Plan
Learning About
What are risk factors?
Keywords:
  • Cardiovascular disease: A range of conditions caused by a build-up of fatty deposits inside the arteries. (1)
  • Causal: Where there is an explanation of how one factor causes a change in another. (1)
  • Correlation: A relationship or connection between two factors, often see on a graph. (1)
  • Risk Factor: A variable associated with an increased risk of disease or infection. (1)
Memory Anchor:
Method Precise Learning Objective Linked Question / Activity
(Designed for maximum working out)		 Stepping Stones Pitstop Check
(Thinking Map)
Risk factors are linked to an increased rate of a disease. They can be: ? aspects of a person?s lifestyle ? substances in the person?s body or environment. What are the risk factors that can increase the rate of a disease?
(WS) Interpret data about risk factors for specified diseases. What does the term "risk factors" mean?
A causal mechanism has been proven for some risk factors, but not in others. ? The effects of diet, smoking and exercise on cardiovascular disease. ? Obesity as a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. ? The effect of alcohol on the liver and brain function. ? The effect of smoking on lung disease and lung cancer. ? The effects of smoking and alcohol on unborn babies. ? Carcinogens, including ionising radiation, as risk factors in cancer. What are the different causal mechanisms that have been proven for some risk factors such as diet, smoking, obesity, radiation?
Many diseases are caused by the interaction of a number of factors. Are diseases usually caused by one or more factors?
Students should be able to understand the principles of sampling as applied to scientific data in terms of risk factors. What impact would a larger sample size have on the validity of the data?
Students should be able to translate information between graphical and numerical forms; and extract and interpret information from charts, graphs and tables in terms of risk factors. (MS)

Students should be able to use a scatter diagram to identify a correlation between two variables in terms of risk factors. What correlation would you expect to see between the following pairs of variables in terms of risk factors: a) smoking vs. incidence of cancer, b) alcohol consumption vs. foetal growth, c) drugs vs. mental health concerns?

Collect, present and analyse data about health risks and diseases, looking for correlations. Evaluate the relevance of BMI (possibly against the waist to hip ratio).
Links To the Big Ideas
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