An Invitation to Health

Topic 1:
Your Invitation to Health

Prepared by: Karlyn Grimes MS RD

2006 Thomson Higher Education

Learning Objectives
Name the dimensions of health and describe
how they relate to total wellness.
Define and differentiate
prevention and protection.
Discuss potential health
risks/ behaviors among
College/University
Students
Discuss Steps taken to
protect students wellbeing

Health and Wellness

Health

Being sound in body, mind,

and spirit.
Not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity, but a
state of complete physical,
mental, and social wellbeing.
Health has many
components: physical,
psychological, spiritual,
social, intellectual &
environmental.

Wellness

Purposeful, enjoyable
living.
A deliberate lifestyle choice
characterized by personal
responsibility and optimal
enhancement of physical,
mental, and spiritual health.
More than not being sick;
taking steps to prevent
illness & to lead a richer,
more balanced & more
satisfying life (state of
optimal health).

The Dimensions of Health-Physical

Health
Premature
death

Illness

Symptoms

Average
health

Emotional
growth

Optimal health
Zest and wellness
for life

Fig. 1-2, p. 5

The Dimensions of Health

Physical
Health

For the sake of optimal

physical health, we must
take positive steps away
from illness & toward wellbeing:

Eat a balanced, nutritious diet

Exercise regularly
Avoid harmful behaviors & substances
Watch out for early signs of sickness
Protect oneself from accidents

The Dimensions of Health

Psychological Psychological health refers to both
Health
our emotional and mental states that
is, to our feelings and our thoughts.
Psychological health is closely
associated to physical health
Can enhance physical well-being &
prevent illness, or trigger/ worsen/ prolong
physical symptoms
Almost every medical illness affects
people physically as well as
psychologically.

The Dimensions of Health

Spiritual
Health

Being spiritual does not mean

belonging to a formal religion;
however, believing in some
meaning/ order/ higher power in the
universe that gives greater
significance to individuals life.

The Dimensions of Health

Spiritual Spiritual healthy individuals:
Health
Identify their own basic purpose in life
Learn how to experience love, joy, peace
& fulfillment
Help themselves & others achieve their
full potential

The Dimensions of Health

Spiritual
Health

Health benefits of spirituality include:

Less substance abuse
Lower rates of depression & anxiety
Quicker recovery from injury or illness
Enhanced quality of life
Longer life expectancy

The Dimensions of Health

Social Health

The ability to interact effectively

with other people and the social
environment, to develop satisfying
interpersonal relationships, and to
fulfill social roles.
Social health affects physical
health: Social isolation increases
the risk of sickness & mortality.

The Dimensions of Health

Intellectual
Health

Your ability to think and learn from

life experience, your openness to
ideas, and your capacity to
question and evaluate information
(critical thinking).

The Dimensions of Health

Environmental The impact your world has on your
Health
well-being.
Environmental Health means:
Protecting oneself from dangers in
air, water, soil & products used.
Working to preserve the
environment itself.

Student Snapshot, pg 8

The Health of College/ University

Students
Potential health risks/ behaviors of university students:

Use of drugs & alcohol

Cigarette smoking/ secondhand smoke
Engagement in risky sexual behaviors
Dangerous driving
Elevated psychological distress (caused by
stressors on campus)
Being overweight
Low daily fruit & vegetable/ excessive high-fat
food consumption

Health-Related Impediments to
Academic Performance

Fig 1-3, pg 9

The Health of College/ University

Students
Steps taken to protect students well-being on campus:

Offering vaccination
Banning alcohol at athletic & social events
Providing reliable health-related information
Health education is good for the body & the mind by
influencing lifestyle behaviors, problem-solving
abilities, & values.

Table 12-2, p. 347

Changing Drinking Patterns on Campus

College Alcohol Policies

Social and environmental

approaches to change
Student involvement
Development of alternatives
to drinking
Mothers Against Drunk
Driving (MADD)
Campus-based AA, Al-Anon,
Adult Children of Alcoholics,
Boost Alcohol
Consciousness Concerning
the Health of University
Students (BACCHUS)

Health Promotion
The ultimate form of prevention of health problems
& protection from health threats.
WHO definition: the process of enabling people to
improve & increase control over their health.
Health promotion programs focus on healthenhancing behaviors (risk avoidance, risk
reduction)
Exercising regularly; eating nutritious foods; managing
stress well; avoiding tobacco, excess alcohol & drugs;
forming fulfilling relationships; living in a clean
environment; having a purpose in life; etc.

Health Behavior
Changing from bad health habits
towards health-enhancing behaviors
requires:
Adequate Motivation
Accurate Information
Workable Strategies