Definition of Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being of an individual and not merely the absence of diseases or infirmities. Health may be regarded as a balance of physical, mental and social aspect of life in a human being.
Aspects of Health
Health is generally classified under two aspects, namely, physical health and mental health.
(i) Physical health: This simply means a condition of overall well-being, that is, when the body is functioning as it was designed to function. Physical health is the freedom from diseases or abnormality and soundness of the body.
(ii) Mental Health: Mental health is a state of emotional and behavioural well being. It is all about how the individual thinks, feels and behaves. Having good mental health helps on lead a happy and healthy life.
Determinants of Health
There are four general determinants of health, namely:
- Heredity
- Environment
- Life style
- Health care services
Characteristics of a Healthy Person
The characteristics of a healthy person include the following:
- Ability to work without easily fatigued
- Ability to comprehend mental fatigue
- Resistance to infection
Characteristics of a Physically Fit Person
The characteristics of a physically fit person are:
- Freedom from diseases
- Norma system and body function
- Health of mind and emotion
- Freedom from correctable physical defect