Which statement best defines a modifiable risk factor?

Which statement best defines a modifiable risk factor?

• A. A risk factor that cannot be changed.
• B. A risk factor tied to age.
• C. A risk factor that can be changed, such as diet and physical activity.
• D. A risk factor determined by genetics.

Answer: (C)

A modifiable risk factor is something you can change through your choices, environment, or medical management to reduce health risk. This is precisely what the statement describes when it says the risk factor can be changed, with examples like diet and physical activity. In health prevention, focusing on modifiable factors is key because teams can design interventions—improving diet, increasing exercise, reducing smoking, managing blood pressure—to lower disease risk. The other ideas refer to factors you can’t alter. Being linked to age is not something you can change, and genetics represents inherited risk that isn’t directly changeable. So, while age and genetics influence overall risk, only the statement about changeable factors such as diet and physical activity fits the concept of a modifiable risk factor.

A modifiable risk factor is something you can change through your choices, environment, or medical management to reduce health risk. This is precisely what the statement describes when it says the risk factor can be changed, with examples like diet and physical activity. In health prevention, focusing on modifiable factors is key because teams can design interventions—improving diet, increasing exercise, reducing smoking, managing blood pressure—to lower disease risk.

The other ideas refer to factors you can’t alter. Being linked to age is not something you can change, and genetics represents inherited risk that isn’t directly changeable. So, while age and genetics influence overall risk, only the statement about changeable factors such as diet and physical activity fits the concept of a modifiable risk factor.