Good Health Essay

Good health implies the achievement of a dynamic equalizer between several(prenominal)s or groups and their environment. (Better Health Commission 1986, cited in C arey, D., Perraton, G. Weston, K. 2000 3). According to the serviceman Health Organisation (WHO), health canister be defined as the absence of illnesses and a state of cordial and hearty well-being (Carey et al. 20003). In other words, in order to maintain optimal health, it is imperative to ware a well-balanced lifestyle which would include a nutritious nourishment as well as mental and social well-being. This essay shows that nutriment is one of the many important actors amongst others when striving to maintain good health. This exit be demonstrated by examining the three main aspects affecting an individuals health, in the following order diet, lifestyle and social framework of family and society.Diet is considered as one of the approximately crucial factors contributing to an individuals health. However , being aware of what constitutes a good diet as opposed to a poor diet is significant in maintaining optimal health in an individual. A diet that is well-balanced includes more fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and less(prenominal)(prenominal) fatty, salty or sugary foods. This would mean avoiding affect meals from takeaways and eating less refined foods. Several main reasons are earthyly given for this. The runner of this is a poor diet which has been noted to be a study cause of obesity. Obesity appears to be a major risk factor in many diseases such(prenominal) as colorectal cancer and coronary thrombosis heart disease.In addition, in recent years the number of diet-related diseases has increase proportionately, and is now one of the major causes of death in most westbound countries including Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (1987 cited in Australian Consumers Association 1991 6), the most significant causes of mortality in 1986 were cancer and hear t disease. An explanation for this could be the steady rise in obesity levels within Australia, with many multitude eating racyly processed foods which are laden with calories (Australian Consumers Association 1991 13). It is so critical to eat a nutritively healthy diet, in order to successfully maintain good health and weight.Furthermore, an example supporting the above rivalry is a study conducted by the Willcox team (2004 2), which reveals that the Okinawans read one ofthe highest evaluate of immenseevity and have considerably lower risk towards most diet-related diseases which ply to be more prevalent in the affluent countries of the West. The most historied difference in the lifestyle of the Okinawans and the Australians is their food consumption, which is low in calories and bountiful in fibrous foods such as grains, vegetables and soy. The study also states that such a diet has all told toldowed the Okinawans to refrain from extensive free-radical damage to their body, allowing them to live long-term and healthier. This reinforces the idea that nutriment consisting of a mixed bag of wholesome meals rather than processed foods is extremely essential in maintaining health that has a lower predisposition to diseases associated with diet.Another vital factor for maintaining optimal health is lifestyle. Grundy (n.d. cited in Cadzow 1996 32) states that the continue trend of deteriorating physical powers is due to the sedentary lifestyles people tend to moderate nowadays. It seems that in several modern cities like Australia, people often succumb to a physically inactive way of life because of the presence of many technological devices such as television for entertainment and elevators for convenience. For instance, it is quite common to find staff members in many workplaces choosing to send an e-mail to another(prenominal) office that could be just next door, then actually passage down personally (Cadzow 199632). As a consequence, many people are not able to burn the amount of kilojoules they consume and are so rapidly gaining weight and becoming vulnerable to diet-related diseases, which can radically jam their health.Comparatively, the centenarians of Okinawa have been noted to keep a particularly active lifestyle, plain as they grow older, frequently taking part in backbreaking activities such as fishing and farming as consequenced by research conducted by the Willcox team (n.d. cited in King Murdoch 2005 24). As a result of their late retirements and continuous physical activities, the Okinawans seem to enjoy high rates of longevity and good health as compared to the populations of other countries (Mc Devitt 1999 59). A further critical element characteristic of a healthy lifestyle is to refrain from smoking and limiting alcohol intake to a token(prenominal) to enhancephysical well-being (Melton 2001 32). Hence, it is evident that staying healthy means safekeeping active. Various simple activities such as dancing, gardening, or brisk move help to burn kilojoules whilst at the same time providing enjoyment. Such activities can easily be done by everyone to keep healthy.Finally, social increase also plays a fundamental role in promoting and maintaining good health. Perry (1997 26) notes that the cured that live with their children and grandchildren gain several positive impacts on their social and mental well-being. These benefits include steamy and physical support from their children along with a closely knit social network, both of which are significant to maintaining good social condition as evidenced by World Health Organisations definition of health. Conversely, the elderly are able to give emotional support to their family members, as well as recommend healthy dietary choices in order to encourage transgress health which provides mutual benefits to all members of the family, and allows for a dynamic state of wellbeing.Another example highlighting the sizeableness of cult ure in the maintenance of health is the Okinawan approach to life, which is full or enthusiasm and positive outlooks, which enables strong social integration. Further evidence in support of this contention includes studies conducted by several researchers in the West, which have revealed that easy going people with optimistic attitudes generally tend to go the pessimistic (Melton 2001 32). In addition to keeping a positive outlook, get by with stress effectively is another important aspect in comparison to mental condition. Meditation and spirituality, helps to reinforce the mental as well as social aspect of healthiness, thus increasing the psychospiritual health. It can then be summarised that being cheerful and engaging in social activities promotes better health.In conclusion, it is evident that maintaining optimal health requires consideration of a variety of factors including the type of food consumed, the sort of lifestyle maintained and the existence of an interactional environment. Since all these factors affect the balance of an individuals health, it is very laborious to say which particular one is more essential than another. Rather, it is the combination of all three dynamic featuresthat enables the sustainment of a healthy life, without the incidence of diseases because health is a continual journey and the successful blend of physical, mental and social equilibrium is of utmost importance. As summarised by the Wilcox team, The issue is not how long we live, it is how well we live.