What is health? What does good health mean?

WHAT IS HEALTH? WHAT DOES A GOOD HEALTH MEAN?

World Health Organization defines health as " a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". It is focused on disease prevention and health promotion. It is very important to emphasize quality of life, well being, and functional capacity of an individual. Good health is of utmost importance to children and adults in the society. Health varied depending on the food, nutrition, hygiene, work, income, gender, age, social impact and family origin

Many illnesses can be managed and have only limited effect on total health. For example mental health can be managed by developing positive attitude and managing stress. Many illnesses are curable and may have only a temporary effect on health. While, others, such as diabetes, are not curable but can be managed with proper eating, physical activity, and sound medical supervision. Wellness is the positive component of optimal health. Illnesses, disease, debilitating conditions and death are negative components that detract from good health. Wellness has been recognized as the positive component of optimal health as evidenced by a sense of well-being reflected in optimal functioning, a good quality of life with mental satisfaction, satisfaction at work, and a contribution to the society. 

Dimensions of health and well being:

Health can be broadly categorized into mental, emotional, intellectual, physical, social and spiritual health. Positive dimensions of health include happiness, satisfaction, positive attitude, improvement, physical fitness, contentment, bliss and activity. Whereas the negative dimensions include unhappiness, dissatisfaction, negativity, deterioration of physical health, ignorance, loneliness, anger, laziness etc. Positive dimensions arise from three main points: Work, Food/ nutrition, surrounding environment including people, place, hygiene, etc. Negative dimensions arise from lack of fulfilling the above points. 

Dimensions of health and well being include the following:

Positive dimensions	State of health and well being	Negative dimensions
Happiness	Emotional, Mental, Intellectual, Physical, Social, Spiritual Wellness and total outlook	Unhappy
Satisfaction		Dissatisfaction
Positive attitude		Negativity
Improvement		Deterioration
Fitness		Unfit
Contented and blissful		Ignorant and lonely
Active		Lazy

Mental health: Mental health is the state of mind, well being of mind. It is the psychological well being of an individual. It is a state where a person can balance between his mind and life activities, in order to enjoy life. A person struggling with the mental health may experience mental illnesses such as stress, depression, anxiety, grief etc. The state of mental illness also affects on the person's physical health. Mental health can be maintained with the help of factors such as adequate intake of nutrition, adequate sleep, exercise, self satisfaction, avoiding comparison, positive attitude, control over thoughts and emotions, dealing with fears and ego, controlling anger, sense of humor, problem solving with patience,stress management, forgiveness, love and care, inculcating hobbies such art, reading books,yoga, meditation etc.

Social health: Social health is all about how you get along with people. It depends on interaction, communication, building relationships, mixing and mingling with people, adjustments, compromises and capable of coping up socially. It also depends on how people respond to you. It can also include influence of people on your life or your influence on people's life. Being a part of the society and contributing your life for benefit of everyone is an example of social well being

Factors affecting total energy requirement: Factors such as increase in muscle mass, growth, infancy, puberty, fever, pregnancy, lactation, good physical condition, psychological state, pharmacological state etc are the factors that increase total energy requirement. Factors that decrease total energy requirement are increase in body fat, hypothyroidism, less surface area, sleep, ageing and under nutrition. Males experience increase in total energy requirement as compared to females. Recommended dietary allowances, in case of energy represent the average daily energy expenditure. Energy requirements are based on energy expenditure, and not on the energy intake. Human body's total energy needs can be further divided into three basic categories as follows:

• Basal metabolic rate (BMR): This constitutes up to 65% of the total energy expenditure components. BMR is defined as minimal rate of energy expenditure per unit time. It is required to keep body alive and healthy. 
• Physical activity: It constitutes up to 25-30% of components of energy expenditure. Physical activity involves muscular movements, wear and tear of the body, flexibility and activeness. 
• Thermic effect of food: It constitutes 5-10% of components of energy expenditure. It is process of increased energy expenditure.

Factors to be included in physical fitness:

1. Body Composition: Body composition is based on fat, muscle, bone and water in human body. Muscular tissue occupies less space in our body as compared to fat, determining fat and weight. 

2. Muscular endurance: The ability of the muscles to repeatedly exert themselves. A fit person can repeat movements for a long period without undue fatigue.
3. Cardiovascular fitness: The ability of the heart, blood vessels, blood, and lungs to supply fuel and oxygen to the body and the ability of the muscles to utilize fuel to allow sustained exercise. A fit person can persist in physical activity for relatively long periods without undue stress. 
4. Flexibility: The range of motion available in a joint. It is affected by muscle length, joint structure, and other factors. 
5. Strength: The ability of the muscles to exert an external force or to lift a heavy weight. A fit person can do work or play that involves exerting force, such as lifting or controlling one’s own body weight. 
So, each of the five types of health are related to each other. Mental, social and emotional health directly affect on the physical health. Spiritual health provides, life solutions, values and principles which help us overcome emotional and mental barriers, helping us take care of our physical health.