You’re confused about what to do about your health and well-being. I don’t blame you, with so much misinformation being spread from all kinds of sources it’s almost impossible (not quite, check out my blog on how to avoid manipulation and misinterpretation) to truly understand what you are supposed to be doing.

My issue is this. In Western civilisations, it may well be perceived as perfectly normal to be overweight, it may be recommended to have a body mass index of 25, it may be optimal (as good as possible) to be within the upper end of BMI range whilst maintaining a significant amount of muscle mass. That’s before you even begin to consider individual variation, long term conditions, genetics, environment and a host of other parameters.

The problem with recommendations based on modern correlational data is that the norm is no longer the optimal range, which means that recommended values for health are at risk of becoming sub-optimal. Consider that and contribute the fact that you are surrounded by unhealthy populations and soon your goal becomes less ambitious.

Conforming to the social norm is a concept in which you do as others, simply because it is socially acceptable to do so. For a large amount of the population it is socially acceptable to disregard your health and well-being, many believe it is normal whereas others don’t want to contradict the view point of the majority.

The concept of One Precious Life is to change your social norms and encompass set new levels, because you can be better and we want to help, whether your goals are average, recommended, or anywhere in between.

From a scientist’s point of view with an increasingly ‘sick’ Western civilisation, the validity of epidemiological data may be brought into question. Whilst these issues are debated by the scientific community it is important to consider your own individual goals, we may even be able to help you achieve them.

Jack Barton (Researcher, Rescon Ltd)