Health providers or caretakers, educators, community members including patients may want to figure out their own and the client’s type as related to their level of health literacy. This is based on the author’s own experience working with different patients/clients and students over time in various healthcare and educational settings. Remember that depending on your age, you may seem ‘healthy’ but this may not always be the case!

Checklist should include your body mass index (BMI), getting annual check-ups (don’t forget your teeth!) by a qualified medical professionals.  Remember all parts of your body for mental and physical well-being.

What type do you think you are?

• Fanatic health nut
• Couch potato
• Philosopher
• Balancer

Fanatic health nut — one who is seemingly obsessed by their health and concerned about what they put in their body, where it comes from, and how they can best work with their body for the ultimate physical and/or mental results. Extreme forms of ‘fanaticism’ may be referred to as orthorexia, and results may be over-doing it to the point that  you are driving yourself or others ‘nutty’ as you may also be hurting your body in the long run (and not even realizing it!)

Couch potato — one who doesn’t do much or anything at all in terms of exercise or even healthy eating. These are the types to be relatively unhealthy, overweight or obese, and likely not to have much of a social life… at least not a ‘real’ one…imagined one or virtual one maybe! One cautionary statement: if you know someone or you are withdrawn/isolated from most social interactions, seems to be over or under-eating or drinking, cannot get ‘unstuck’ from things like video or on-line gaming and the internet (διαταραχής εθισμού στο διαδύκτιο), or their smartphone, please ask for help by professionals in your community! Remember Your body is your temple, take care of it so it takes care of you!

Philosopher — one who thinks a lot about their health, the environment they live in, reads quite a bit and has lots of discussion about it… lots, without necessary action. This person likely reads the latest fads about health and exercise, purchases equipment or books, downloads fact sheets, but procrastinates or is too busy thinking about it than doing, they never quite read or uses much or any of these!

Balancer — like the balanced scale, though this person may do a bit of this and a bit of that, overall they seem to understand how to best take care of themselves and keep it together despite a busy life (whether at home or at work). On occasion may need to be reminded about those things that are out of balance, this person has a more equalized view and action plan for their general health and well-being.