38 Questions
What is the primary purpose of analyzing the chemical composition of foods?
To calculate the mean content of various nutrients in foods
What is a limitation of food tables in terms of accuracy?
They are not accurate due to varying fat content of milk
What is a common nutritional problem in many developing countries?
Undernutrition
Which of the following groups is particularly susceptible to undernutrition?
Elderly individuals living alone or in institutions
What is the primary characteristic of overnutrition?
Consuming too much fat, sugar, and salt
What is the BMI range for obesity grade 1?
30-34.9
What is the purpose of calculating body mass index (BMI)?
To assess the nutritional status of an individual
Which of the following is NOT a common consequence of overnutrition?
Undernutrition
What is the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) of a nutrient?
The notional mean requirement of a nutrient for a group of healthy individuals in a population.
What is the main reason for establishing different DRVs for different groups of people?
Because nutritional requirements vary with age, sex, and health status.
What is the purpose of the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI)?
To establish the sufficient intake of a nutrient to meet the needs of most of the population.
What is the Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI) of a nutrient?
Two standard deviations below the EAR, intakes of a nutrient below this level are almost certainly inadequate for most individuals.
What is the main purpose of food tables, such as McCance and Widdowson's 'The Composition of Foods'?
To provide information on the nutritional content of foods for dietary planning and nutrition programmes.
Who established the first food tables in the UK?
Robert McCance and Widdowson
What was the original purpose of Robert McCance's research on the carbohydrate contents of fruits and vegetables?
To formulate diets for diabetic patients.
What is the current title of the food tables originally developed by McCance and Widdowson?
The Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset
What is the main reason for the decline in death rates in the country?
People living longer
Which region in the UK has the highest premature death rate from heart and circulatory diseases?
North England
What is the recommended percentage of total fat in the diet according to the Department of Health?
30-33%
What is the trend in stroke and coronary heart disease deaths in low-income countries between 1990 and 2010?
Up by 12%
What is a recommended strategy to promote healthy eating habits?
Clear labelling of food products
What is the recommended percentage of sucrose in the diet according to the Department of Health?
No more than 10%
What is the primary criterion for determining the requirement for a nutrient?
The amount needed to prevent deficiency
What is the purpose of estimating the average requirement (EAR) for a nutrient?
To determine the recommended daily intake for a population
What is the term for the nutrients that are required in small amounts, typically in milligrams or micrograms per day?
Micronutrients
Which of the following organizations is responsible for setting dietary reference values for food, energy, and nutrients in the United Kingdom?
Committee of Medical Aspects of Food Policy (COMA)
What is the term for the range of intake that meets the nutritional needs of 95% of the population?
Reference nutrient intake (RNI)
What is the purpose of studying the intake of a nutrient in groups of people with and without deficiency?
To identify the nutrient intake that prevents deficiency
What is the term for the amount of a nutrient that is associated with a marker of nutritional adequacy?
Nutrient intake associated with a marker of nutritional adequacy
What is the purpose of using a normal distribution curve to estimate nutrient requirements?
To establish a range of intake that meets the nutritional needs of a population
What percentage of adults in the UK were overweight or obese in November 2021?
63%
What is the prevalence of BMI >30 in social class I in England?
25%
What is the percentage of children aged 5-15 who eat less than one portion of fruit and vegetables a day?
15%
What is the consequence of obesity that is related to high salt intake?
High blood pressure
What is the percentage of adults who were overweight or obese globally between 1980 and 2008?
23% to 34%
What is the target for reducing the death rate from coronary heart disease and stroke in people under 75?
By at least two fifths
What is the percentage of children who are obese by age 11 in the UK?
15%
What is the maximum recommended daily salt intake?
6g
Study Notes
Nutrition and Health
- Micronutrients: vitamins, essential minerals, essential amino acids, and essential fatty acids required in small amounts (µg or mg per day)
- Nutritionists refer to micronutrients as 'nutrients'
- Requirements for nutrients vary depending on age, gender, activity level, and other factors
Determining Nutrient Requirements
- Estimated Average Requirement (EAR): the amount of a nutrient required to prevent deficiency in a healthy population
- Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI): the amount of a nutrient required to meet the needs of most individuals (2 standard deviations above EAR)
- Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI): the amount of a nutrient required to meet the needs of a small percentage of the population (2 standard deviations below EAR)
Dietary Reference Values (DRVs)
- Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)
- Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI)
- Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI)
Vitamin C Example
- EAR for adults in the UK: 25mg
- RNI for adults in the UK: 40mg
- LRNI for adults in the UK: 10mg
Energy Requirements
- Difficult to determine individual energy requirements
- Guidelines for groups within the population
Food Tables
- McCance and Widdowson's "The Composition of Foods" is the standard work in the UK
- Data obtained from food tables may not be strictly accurate, but still useful for:
- Analyzing individual nutrient and energy intake
- Formulating diets for specific groups (e.g. diabetics, people with high cholesterol)
Undernutrition
- Major problem in developing countries (e.g. South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South America)
- In developed countries, specific deficiencies occur in groups such as:
- Elderly people living alone or in institutions
- Young people on junk food
- Asian women and children in traditional clothing
- Slimmers and people on fad diets
- Cancer and AIDS patients
- People with eating disorders
- Hospitalized patients (up to 40%)
Overnutrition
- Main nutritional problem in developed countries
- Too much fat, sugar, and salt in the diet
- Body Mass Index (BMI) classification:
- Normal (18.5-24.9)
- Overweight (25-29.9)
- Obese (30-34.9, 35-39.9, >40)
Obesity
- Global increase in obesity from 23% to 34% between 1980 and 2008
- In the UK, 30% are obese, and 63% are overweight or obese (Nov 2021)
- Highest prevalence of obesity in lower social classes
Sugar Consumption
- Increases from social classes I to V
- UK sales of snacks and confectionery outstrip other European countries
- Sales of fizzy drinks have doubled in 15 years
Childhood Obesity
- Obesity in 6-year-olds has doubled to 9.6%
- Trebled in 15-year-olds to 15%
- Junk food and lack of exercise contribute to childhood obesity
- By age 5, 1 in 10 children are obese, and 1 in 5 are obese by age 11
Consequences of Overnutrition
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
- Some cancers
- Hypertension
- Diabetes type 2
- Gallstones
- Dental caries
- Gout
- Infertility
- Sleep apnea
- Surgical risk
- Psychological distress
This quiz covers the basics of micronutrients, including vitamins, essential minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids, and how to determine daily requirements.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
