Risk Factors
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 2.4.5
Risk Factors
Risk factors are factors that increase the probability of developing a disease. Often, non-communicable diseases arise due to the interaction (acting together) of numerous risk factors. Risk factors can be placed into one of two categories:
Lifestyle
- For example, an unbalanced diet or not enough exercise.
Substances
- Substances can be in both the individual’s body or the environment.
- For example, the chemicals inhaled when smoking.
Test yourself on Risk Factors
Which types of risk factor affect a person who eats an unbalanced diet and also smokes cigarettes?
What type of risk factor are chemicals breathed in from a smoky room by someone who does not smoke?
A person eats an unbalanced diet and does not get enough exercise. What is true about these two risk factors?
A person has both a lifestyle risk factor and a substance risk factor for a disease. What does this mean for their probability of developing that disease?