Which of the following is a social determinant of health?

• A. Access to nutritious food and opportunities for physical activity
• B. Height
• C. Favorite color
• D. Blood type

Answer: (A)

Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, live, work, and age that affect their health outcomes. Access to nutritious food and opportunities for physical activity fit this idea because they are shaped by the environment and resources available—like whether there are affordable grocery options, safe places to exercise, and transportation to reach them. These factors influence diet, activity levels, and risk for conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. In contrast, height and blood type are biological traits determined by genetics, and a person’s favorite color has no impact on health. So the option describing access to nutritious food and opportunities for physical activity is the health-related social determinant.