In 1948 the WHO described health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” At the time, this was a groundbreaking definition where health was addressed as more than just the absence of pathology. This definition no longer fits the current aging population and growth of chronic disease, as it was developed when patients were mostly dying of acute conditions (Huber, 2011). However, with the advancement of health technologies, we can diagnose diseases early enough before they become life limiting, and there are more treatments available that allow those with chronic diseases to continue living a 'normal' and fulfilling life. Huber (2011) proposes updating the definition to focus on the adaptability of coping with various illnesses and self-managing to feel healthy, despite limitations. A more current definition of health would focus on health as an individual state that allows one to cope with life's demands (Krahn et al., 2021).
Another viewpoint to address may be to emphasize the importance of how one feels regarding their own health. A wholistic approach would depend on the patient themselves and how content they are with their health and life, no matter what diseases or limitations they live with. Health would be focused on more of a balance of perceived quality of life in balance with physical metrics. As Hamrock (2020) in her podcast shares, the meaning of being healthy is individual and looks different for everyone. This is especially true for people living in larger bodies. It was previously thought that being in an overweight or obese weight category was directly related to one's health. However, we now understand the complexities of weight, metabolism, and weight stigma. There has been a recent shift in this weight bias that challenges thin ideals and argues that people living in larger bodies can be just as healthy in terms of meeting physical activity recommendations, maintaining normal metabolic markers (blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and fasting blood glucose levels) and have healthy dietary patterns (ASDAH, 2023). We should look at all aspects of a patient's satisfaction with life to determine how healthy they are, including perceived emotional well-being.
References:
Hamrock, Meghan. (Host). (2020, January 1). What does it mean to be "healthy"?. [Audio podcast episode]. In WholisticMatters. https://wholisticmatters.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-healthy/
Huber, M. (2011). Health: How should we define it? British Medical Journal, 343,(7817), 235-237. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d4163
Krahn, G. L., Robinson, A., Murray, A. J., Havercamp, S. M., & Nisonger RRTC on Health and Function (2021). It's time to reconsider how we define health: Perspective from disability and chronic condition. Disability and health journal, 14(4), 101129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101129
ASDAH. (2023, April 1). The health at every size® (HAES®) principles. https://asdah.org/health-at-every-size-haes-approach/
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