How Would You Define "Healthy"?

     Traditionally speaking, "healthy" is defined as; [being] indicative of, conducive to, or promoting good health.  However, I've realized recently that "healthy" is so much more than it's conventional definition.  It means something different to everyone, and can be regarded similarly to "beauty" - it's in the eye, or rather the body, of the beholder.
  

      I observe the vastly varying definitions of "healthy" pretty frequently.  When counseling my training clients, I have numerous discussions with them about their diet, and often begin the conversation by asking, "so, tell me what your typically diet looks like".  Seeing as it's human nature to portray ourselves in a positive light,  it's no surprise most clients start off their response with something like, "well I eat pretty healthy...", which at this point I've learned to take with a grain of salt, because the later part of their response typically contradicts the first.  It's not uncommon for someone who regularly drinks carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages, snacks on chips and sweets, skips meals and frequents fast food restaurants to regard themselves as eating a relatively healthy diet. How is this possible?
   
     After some thought, I've come up with three possible scenarios:

1.   Although these individuals say they believe they eat a healthful diet, they are aware of the fact they do not - they just aren't comfortable admitting it to others.  As I mentioned previously, it's human nature to seem our best.

2.   Public education on what is and isn't part of a healthy diet and lifestyle is not as effective as we might hoped it would be.  If this is the case,  the general public may truly be under the impression that certain foods and eating behaviors are OK and part of a healthy lifestyle due to lack of proper nutritional education.

3.  Lastly, is it possible the general public's definition of "healthy" has changed?  Has our changing cultural atmosphere also changed what is considered healthy?  For instance, consider someone who snacks on chips and/or sweets once a day, eats fried foods 3-4 days a week, includes soda as a regular drink of choice, eats fast food once a week, but otherwise eats nutritionally sound meals.  Would this person be described as healthy 30 years ago?  What about in today's society where being overweight is a cultural norm and we are inundated with a plethora of junk food options?

    My guess is the answer is a mixture of all three.  It's interesting to consider though - this changing climate of "health".  Do you think our definition of "healthy" has shifted over the last few decades?  If so, why? Also, what do YOU define as a healthy diet?