What Is Health? A 4 Dimensional Definition Beyond the Scale

Health… Your number on the scale: Coach Djarlo Authored by: Taariq Djarlo, CEO – Geddion|Care E-mail: tdjarlo@geddion.care www.geddion.care

Health – A number on the scale

Health and wellness have become an increasingly important subject for most people, and it is being pushed or even spammed all over the social media platforms i.e., nutritionist saying eat this and that, yoga coaches talking about meditative yoga, life coaches talk about mindfulness, numerous fitness coaches posting YouTube video after YouTube video of this and that workout, corporate wellness, employee health etc.

Feel free to add to the list!

A report states that the estimated global health and wellness market increases to more than \$1.5 trillion, with 5 to 10 percent annual growth. Along with other physical activity, by 2023, the economy is estimated to surpass \$1.1 trillion. Besides, workplace wellness was a \$48 billion market in 2017; by 2022, it is estimated to grow by \$66 billion.

The global health and wellness marketing engine is running very fast. We are constantly bombarded with advertisement, e-mails, online ads about what you should do about your health and how to live longer.

No wonder people get confused and get lost in the marketing jungle of good and bad intentional advices.

But what is health?

It is a number on the scale.

Modern Health & Wellness Model

Dr Andrija Štampar, one of the founders of World Health Organisation (WHO), defined in 1948 a generally accepted definition stating:

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”

• Dr. Andrija Štampar

A modern understanding embraces four dimensions of health, and an inclusive set of influencing factors.

Physical health is the ability to perform aspects of sports, occupations and daily activities effortless and without significant discomfort.

Mental health is an individual’s psychological, behavioural, and emotional well-being. Mentally healthy individuals have the resilience to handle normal stresses and interpersonal relationships, while maintaining a positive and realistic sense of self.

Social health describes an individual’s ability to build healthy, positive and supportive interpersonal relationships with one another. People in good social health have the capacity to form meaningful connections with others, to both receive and provide social support.

Spiritual health help people to integrate purposefulness in their lives. Spiritually healthy people have a strong sense of purpose, belonging, or identity helping them to feel rooted and mindful in the present moment. Spiritual health creates a balance between physical, psychological and social aspects of human life.

Some of the influential factors are:

• Personal behaviours and attributes i.e., activity, diet, financial circumstances etc.
• Environmental attributes i.e., housing, security, global threats etc.
• Interventions i.e., clinical, resources (welfare), education provision etc.

There is strong empirical evidence from studies and research supporting this health framework, and that these four health dimensions collectively contribute to both longevity and quality of life.

Promotion and Prevention

A key factor to unlock higher-quality life and greater individual life satisfaction, is to empower individuals to steward their own health. Individual behaviours are the single biggest driver of an individual’s health. Research have shown that adaptable behaviours i.e., diet, physical activity levels, metabolic and nutritional wellbeing, sleep patterns, tobacco and drinking habits —contribute to as much as 60 percent of deaths worldwide.

Hence, a greater effort should be put on education, promotion and prevention to foster an adaptive behaviour towards a healthier holistic lifestyle.

From a government and public service perspective one might consider providing regular health assessments and screenings together with focused education and campaigns targeting children and young people to help promote health from an early age.

Companies can implement targeted employee wellness programs to help employees with healthier lifestyle choices, not only to pursue individual health and wellness goals, but also to increase employee engagement to boost organisational productivity and performance.

Research shows that social and emotional fulfilment can influence productivity. A recent study found that happiness led to a 20 percent increase in productivity. Another study, found that burned-out employees, with stress and low moral have led to an increase in absenteeism costing companies

up to 36 percent of the corporate profit.

Conclusion

In a world saturated with health and wellness messages, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of advice, tips, and trends. From nutritionists promoting specific diets to fitness coaches sharing endless workout routines, the sheer volume of information can be paralysing. The global health and wellness market, now a multi-trillion-dollar industry, is growing rapidly, fuelled by the increasing desire for longer, healthier lives.

However, amid this marketing frensy, it’s crucial to remember what true health encompasses. It’s not just about the number on the scale or following the latest wellness trend. As Dr. Andrija Štampar’s timeless definition reminds us, health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being—not merely the absence of disease.

Our modern understanding of health is multidimensional, incorporating physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being. Each of these dimensions plays a critical role in our overall quality of life, influencing everything from longevity to daily satisfaction.

Empowering individuals to take charge of their health through education, promotion, and prevention is essential. By fostering adaptive behaviours—such as a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and strong social connections—we can significantly enhance life satisfaction and productivity. For businesses, investing in employee wellness programs not only supports individual health goals but also drives organisational success.

Ultimately, good health is the foundation of a fulfilling and productive life. As the McKinsey Health Institute suggests, we have the tools and knowledge to add years to life and life to those years.

Health isn’t just about living longer; it’s about living better. Let’s prioritise our health and wellness to unlock higher-quality, happier lives for all.

We are aiming at helping you with lifestyle changes using the latest research and knowledge combined with behavioural design. We want to transform the mindset from a reactive to a proactive starting point, where the focus is on helping people not to become unhealthy and sick. Join us to take control and start your journey to a healthier and happier life. - Coach Djarlo, CEO - Geddion|Care

Publisher & Editor – Coach Djarlo© & Geddion|Care©

[www.geddion.care](http://www.geddion.care) ; coachdjarlo@gmail.com ;

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