Why Conversations about Health are so Confusing
If you watched Netflix's latest docuseries about the now cancelled television series, "The Biggest Loser", you might have noticed a question the documentary was trying to answer. The question is, was the show healthy for the contestants? As a mental health professional, I often hear about clients’ desire to be “more healthy.” Whether it be improvements on how they cope with symptoms, having a more consistent sleep schedule, or even having better communication within their relationships - the conversation regarding health is a vast and varied one. The docuseries did not have a clear answer, but it did make me question how is health actually defined? And what truly makes someone healthy?
If you look up the definition of health, you will likely see descriptions of a person having total physical, emotional, and mental well-being. But even this definition continues to be updated and built upon. The World Health Organization first amended this definition in the 1980s by adding that health indicates a positive sense of personal resources. In 2021, they again extended the definition to also include a person’s ability to adapt to stress and highlighted how spiritual, environmental, and social components leave an impact on health (Felmen, 2025). Through these updates and revisions, it’s clear to see that finding one singular explanation of health is challenging. Especially when you include larger cultural ideas regarding health.
As I mentioned earlier, because of my profession it’s common to discuss a client’s health with them. But what has stood out to me is how different each client’s definition of health is. I think this speaks to the varying messages seen in our culture. This was demonstrated in the docuseries as we heard former contestants, trainers, and producers reflect on how the show impacted its contestants. Some believed the show was “helping save people’s lives,” while others state how harmful and unhealthy it was. When there are so many disagreements about what is healthy, how could anyone know what to do?
Which brings us back to the beginning and restarts the confusion. This cycle is understandably stressful and puts on display how contrary our world’s viewpoints are on health. What I have begun sharing with my clients is that their health might better be served by first exploring and identifying their own definition of health. If there is any takeaway from all these varying ideas, it’s that health is truly an individual condition and that there may not be one perfect definition.
Hi, I’m Amanda Kieser
I believe that everyone is on their own journey, and that we are meant to learn and change along the way. I help my clients better understand their own feelings, thoughts, and experiences. I work with people coping with depression, anxiety, disordered eating or eating disorders, and body image concerns. I also loves helping clients with identity work, attachment styles, and reparenting.