Chapter 1 - Introducing Health and Human Development Flashcards
Health
‘Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’ (WHO, 1946).
Physical Health
Physical health relates to the efficient functioning of the body and its systems, including the physical capacity to perform tasks (physical fitness), resistance to disease and maintenance of appropriate body weight to height ratio.
Social Health
Social health relates to our ability to interact with others and participate in the community in both an independent and cooperative way.
Mental Health
Mental health refers to a ‘state of wellbeing in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community’ (WHO, 2009). Self-confidence and self-esteem are key components of mental health.
Physical Development
Physical development refers to the changes that occur to the body and its systems. It involves external aspects, such as changes in height and motor skill development, and internal aspects, such as the growth and development of organs.
Intellectual Development
Intellectual development refers both to the processes that occur within the brain, including knowledge, language, memory and problem solving, and to the increasing complexity of the brain.
Emotional Development
Emotional development refers to developing the full range of emotions, and learning appropriate ways of dealing with and expressing these emotions.
Social Development
Social development refers to the social skills, behaviours, capabilities and roles that people learn through interacting with others.
Individual Human Development
Individual human development encompasses the orderly, predictable and sequential changes that occur in individuals from conception to death. Development occurs in the physical, social, emotional and intellectual areas.
