Term Papers on Definition Of Health

Term Paper Title	Definition Of Health
# of Words	1372
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	5.49

Definition of Health

Toya Pierce ,University of Texas at Austin School of NursingHealth is defined as "soundness of body or mind,
freedom from disease or ailment."   However, we believe that the definition of health goes
beyond physical illness, which can be pain, discomfort or aching felt by the body.  Health
is a combination of eating healthy, exercising and reaching spiritual and emotional
harmony.  Only when a combination of the four aspects are attained, can a person be
considered healthy.
     The first aspect of being healthy is nutrition because many people are not
knowledgeable about how to make nutritious food selections. The Food Pyramid and the
Dietary Guidelines are excellent examples of resources that can provide people with
information to help them achieve adequate nourishment.  By following the Food Pyramid,
people become aware of the basic serving sizes of each food group that are required each
day. In accordance with the Food Pyramid, the Dietary Guidelines emphasize several
helpful steps, including: eating a variety of foods, maintaining a healthy body weight,
choosing a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, increase intake in fruits, vegetables
and grains, and moderate the amount of sodium, salt, sugar and alcohol consumed (U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, 1990).  Even though it is necessary to
consume the correct amounts of nutrients, nutrition is also a significant aspect because
what a person eats affects his/her lifestyle.  For example, kids who do not eat breakfast
have a difficult time concentrating in their classes (Novelli, P., & Sacks, M., 1998).
Similarly, Stanhope and Lancaster (1988) stated in their book that malnutrition affects
physical and mental development and contributes to disease and death.  Therefore, lack of
adequate nutrition affects learning capabilities. On the other hand, it is hazardous to
people's health if they overeat. Overeating is when people become desensitized to their
internal hunger signals and eat past the point of satiety. If people consume high calorie
foods, they could potentially become extremely over weight, which may lead to cause
serious health risks.  Obesity is directly connected to an increased chance of heart disease,
cancer and diabetes (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Conference
Statement, 1992).  All of the latter diseases could be avoided simply by changing dietary
habits. Unfortunately, people are not aware of the advantages of proper nutrition;
therefore they need to be educated. Thus, with the aid of the Food Pyramid and the
Dietary Guidelines, people can become knowledgeable about nutrition and incorporate
the information into their lives to form positive, life long changes.
     Physical activity is another important component of our definition of health.
Physical activity is any aerobic activity done 3-4 times a week where the heart rate is
elevated and muscles are contracting, lengthening and strengthening.  There are many
benefits to exercising such as an increase in metabolism and stamina, and it assists in the
development of strong bones and muscles.  Exercising regularly can have rewarding
affects, for instance, keeping in shape helps decrease risks of having cardiovascular
diseases, high blood pressure, strokes, diabetes and other diseases (Edlin & Golanty,
1998). While exercising has physical advantages, it also has psychological benefits.
Because exercising increases lean muscle mass and decreases fatty tissue, it gives people
more self confidence and can lead to changes in people’s body images.  When people
notice you have lost weight, it is positive reinforcement and encourages you to continue
you exercising.  Besides boosting self -esteem, exercising can be used as an effective
stress manager.  Because three quarters of diseases are linked to stress related problems,
exercising is an effective way to manage stress, instead of turning to food for dealing with
tension- filled situations (Stress Management, 1987).Emotional wellbeing is one of the
hardest as...

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