Revision 22-2; Effective April 1, 2022
All individuals should receive a health risk survey at least annually to determine areas where lifestyle modifications might reduce the risk of future disease and improve health outcomes and quality of life.
Counseling on healthful lifestyle choices should cover the following areas: smoking and tobacco use, healthy eating patterns, and physical activity and fitness. Counseling should be catered towards the individual’s current health needs and family planning goals and include information and guidance that is relevant and accessible to the individual.
Smoking and Tobacco Use
As necessary, based on the needs of the individual, clients should be advised on the impact of smoking and the use of tobacco products, and to avoid exposure to second-hand smoke.
The following resources may be helpful when counseling individuals on smoking and tobacco use, including smoking cessation:
- American Cancer Society. Health Risks of Secondhand Smoke (October 2020). Available at https://www.cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco/health-risks-of-tobacco/secondhand-smoke.html.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs, and Pregnancy (June 2020). Available at https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/tobacco-alcohol-drugs-and-pregnancy.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Tobacco and Nicotine Cessation During Pregnancy (May 2020). Available at https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2020/05/tobacco-and-nicotine-cessation-during-pregnancy.
- American Heart Association. Is Vaping Better Than Smoking? (October 2018). Available at https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/is-vaping-safer-than-smoking.
- American Heart Association. Quit Smoking, Vaping and Tobacco Use: Ending Tobacco Use and Nicotine Addiction (2021). Available at https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco.
- Truth Initiative. Tobacco use in Texas 2020 (October 2020). Available at https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/smoking-region/tobacco-use-texas-2020.
Healthy Eating Patterns
Individuals should be counseled on healthy eating patterns and offered access to information and guidance that is relevant to their needs. This may include limiting salt intake or advising a specific diet plan, if needed.
The following resources may be helpful when counseling individuals on healthy eating patterns:
- American Heart Association. Healthy Eating (2021). Available at https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating.
- MyPlate, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Available at https://www.myplate.gov/.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2020-2025 Edition). Available at: https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/.
- Texas WIC, Health and Nutrition. Available at https://texaswic.org/health-nutrition/women.
Physical Activity and Fitness
Individuals should be advised to engage in moderate-intensity aerobic activity, vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of both each week. Moderate-intensity activities include walking, social dancing or gardening, while vigorous-intensity activities include running, jumping rope or swimming laps. Physical activity should always be tailored to their individual health condition, risks and abilities.
The following resources may be helpful when counseling individuals on physical activity and fitness:
- American Heart Association. American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids (April 2018). Available at https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults.
- American Heart Association. How to Keep Cool During Warm Weather Workouts. Available at https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/how-to-keep-cool-during-warm-weather-workouts.
- Mayo Clinic. Aerobic exercise: Top 10 reasons to get physical (February 2020). Available at https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/aerobic-exercise/art-20045541.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Materials for During and After Pregnancy. Available at https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/move-your-way-community-resources/campaign-materials/materials-during-and-after-pregnancy.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (August 2021). Available at https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/physical-activity-guidelines.