Nutrition and Malnutrition

Fundamentals of Nutrition

• Food, not nutrient supplements, should be the primary focus in diet planning
• Taste and texture greatly influence food choice, and more flavorful foods tend to be more appealing
• Health deserves greater emphasis, considering family history of disease is essential
• The Food Pyramid Guide provides a blueprint for a healthy diet, with carbohydrates at the base and fats and oils at the tip

Nutrients

• Nutrients are chemical substances in food that provide energy, building blocks for body parts, and regulate chemical processes
• Essential nutrients must be supplied from exogenous sources because the body cannot synthesize them in sufficient amounts
• Classification of nutrients: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water (a macronutrient)

Determination of Ideal Body Weight (IBW)

• Use standard height and weight tables, such as Tannhauser Method or Fernando's Method
• IBW calculation: [Height in cm - 100] - [(Height in cm - 100) x 10%] = wt in kg (Tannhauser Method)

Malnutrition

• Pathological state resulting from a relative lack or absolute deficiency or excess of one or more essential nutrients
• Types of malnutrition: undernutrition, specific nutrient deficiency, overnutrition, and nutrient imbalance
• Stunting, wasting, and normal categories for chronic malnourished states

Determination of Nutritional Requirement

• Calculate total calorie count by multiplying carbohydrates by 4, proteins by 4, and fats by 9
• Goal for health: varied diet, regular physical activity, and balanced food intake

Human Nutrition

• The science of food, nutrients, and other substances, their action, and interaction in relation to health and disease
• Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake (RENI) is the revised dietary standard
• Three areas of study: undernutrition, overnutrition, and ideal/optimal nutrition
• Determination of nutritional status: obesity, overweight, normal, undernutrition, and IBW calculation