Health of the person depends upon the economic status, food he eats, environment in which, he lives. To sustain and maintain good health body needs well-balanced diet of different nutrients. The balanced diet helps in growth and development of the body and prevention of infection. The nutrients, which help in growth and developments are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, trace elements and water.
There are many reasons for becoming sick. Improper selection of food, religious taboos in eating, food fads, food beliefs, food habits, poverty, national and international policies, educational status, use of technology, transport facilities affect health. Deficiency of food causes poor resistance to infection, anorexia, general weakness, poor growth and development, under and poor nutrition causes malnutrition.
Nutrition is defined as the combination of process by which the living organism receives and utilizes the material necessary for the maintenance of its functions and for the growth and renewal of its components.
The Mark of Good Nutrition
Body | Well-proportioned, there is enough fat for the symmetry. |
Proper weight | Weight for height and weight for age |
Muscles | Muscles are well-developed and firm. |
Skin | Skin is reddish-pink, smooth, clear and slightly moist. |
Nails | Nails are pink, healthy not-ridged or brittle. |
Hair | Hair is naturally glossy, neither dry nor brittle. |
Eyes | Eyes are clear bright without dark circles under the eye. |
Teeth | Teeth are straight without being crowded. |
Facial expression | Look confident, alert without any strain. |
Posture | Posture is erect, chest broad, capable of generous expansion, shoulder even not pushed back, abdomen is flat. |
Attitude | Has positive attitude. Person is good natured and he is full of life. |
Gastrointestinal | His appetite and digestion is good. |
Elimination | Has normal bowel movement. |
Appetite | Appetite is good. |
Appearance | Person has general well being appearance. |
Vitality | Sleeps well at night. Recovers quickly from fatigue. |
Sense of well being | Looks alert, interested in activities, vigorous and happy. |
Nervous control | Has good attention span, gets along with others, not irritable and restless. |
TERMINOLOGY USED IN NUTRITION
Calories
Calories are a unit of measurement of heat.
Enzymes
Enzymes are organic catalysts of protein, which increase the rate of reaction without becoming a part of the reaction product.
Dietetics
Dietetics is the combined science and art of feeding individuals or groups under different economic or health conditions according to the principles of nutrition and management.
Gavage
Gavage is a method of artificially feeding by means of intubation.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is a condition, which occurs when the body does not get the proper kind of food in the amount needed for maintaining health.
Nutritional Status
Nutritional status is the condition of the health of the individual as influenced by the utilization of the nutrients. It is determined by taking medical history, physical examination, and laboratory investigation.4
Nutrients
The constituent in food is collectively known as nutrients.
Nutrition
Nutrition is the combination of processes by which, the living organism receives and utilizes the material necessary for the maintenance of its functions and for the growth and renewal of its components.
Nutrition means affording nourishment.
Nutriment
Nutriment means nourishment, nutritious material.
Nutriture
Nutriture is the status of the body in relation to nutrition.
Vitamins
Vitamins are defined as organic compound which are required for the normal growth and life.