The definition of Health has always been a product of human ingenuity. Description of health is an oxymoron. Health is a condition of mental, physical and social well being where infirmity and illness are absent. It can be defined as a state in which all the three elements of health are present, where the individual’s health status is generally good, except in cases where these elements are both missing or at very low levels.
According to the second definition, health can only be achieved when all three elements of health are present. In this case, the absence of disease or infirmity must be complemented with adequate education on proper nutrition and regular exercise. Health can also be attained by maintaining a healthy weight, for it is the state of being overweight that leads to ill health. The third definition of health as we know it today, indicates the presence of the following health conditionswhere disease or infirmity may exist: physical and mental health, capacity for learning and memory, ability to work productively, ability to preserve health, and the ability to sustain life.
This definition of a healthful diet shows the necessary connection between public health and the eating habits of an individual. For any society to achieve optimal health, people must be healthy and they must know how to maintain this state of mind. A society that has a healthy population will have healthy eating habits and this will translate into healthy populations. Healthy individuals will be able to participate fully in the community through its public health services and programs. Healthy diets mean healthy food choices and an adequate intake of nutritional foods and the maintenance of the overall good health of the individual.
The definition of the third P CDD (proper diet definition) reflects the importance of a person’s physical activities to maintain good health. In fact, the absence of exercise can lead to poor health and disease. Any physical activity helps to keep the body’s systems in a proper state of efficiency. Activities are often incorporated into the daily routine so as to maintain or improve the capability for normal physical activities. This physical activity is also an essential part of any healthy lifestyle, which is inclusive of a healthy diet, regular sleep, regular exposure to sunlight and cleanliness. These factors help to reduce the presence of illnesses such as heart diseases and cancers.
The term well-being refers to a state of total health or well-being that involves the mental aspects as well as the physical aspects of an individual. It is important to note that mental health is different from the physical health. Mental illness can affect both the mind and the body; therefore, when physical illness occurs along with mental illness, it can lead to complications in the treatment of the illness. In order to ensure that the individual enjoys a good level of physical and mental health, the latter must first be brought under control.
The ability to develop a personal lifestyle that includes good health is a reflection of one’s social status and social value. In developed countries where physical and mental illnesses are rare, the prevalence of the disease is likely to be low. Developing a personal lifestyle that includes good health is not limited to people who have been diagnosed with an illness; even healthy people can have poor health due to various factors. In developed countries, where many people live with a sedentary lifestyle, there is a high occurrence of chronic illnesses, which in turn lead to disability.