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Questions and Answers
What role does hunger play in an individual's decision to eat?
What role does hunger play in an individual's decision to eat?
How is nutritional health best defined?
How is nutritional health best defined?
What can be a consequence of consuming excess saturated fat?
What can be a consequence of consuming excess saturated fat?
What impact does food insecurity have on adults?
What impact does food insecurity have on adults?
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Which of the following is a common effect of hunger in children and youth?
Which of the following is a common effect of hunger in children and youth?
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What are some chronic diseases linked to unhealthy dietary patterns?
What are some chronic diseases linked to unhealthy dietary patterns?
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What is a potential effect of undernutrition in children?
What is a potential effect of undernutrition in children?
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How prevalent are plant-based diets in the U.S. adult population?
How prevalent are plant-based diets in the U.S. adult population?
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What is the percentage of people under age 40 who follow a plant-based diet?
What is the percentage of people under age 40 who follow a plant-based diet?
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Which type of vegetarian diet includes eggs?
Which type of vegetarian diet includes eggs?
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What is one potential deficiency that vegan diets can lead to?
What is one potential deficiency that vegan diets can lead to?
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Which nutrient helps facilitate the absorption of iron in the body?
Which nutrient helps facilitate the absorption of iron in the body?
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What defines nutrient density in food?
What defines nutrient density in food?
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What are macronutrients primarily responsible for?
What are macronutrients primarily responsible for?
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At what age does the metabolic rate typically begin to decrease?
At what age does the metabolic rate typically begin to decrease?
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Which of the following is classified as a micronutrient?
Which of the following is classified as a micronutrient?
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What percentage of adult males typically require 2400 to 3000 calories daily?
What percentage of adult males typically require 2400 to 3000 calories daily?
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Where are carbohydrates stored in the body?
Where are carbohydrates stored in the body?
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Which food component provides the most energy?
Which food component provides the most energy?
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What is the role of water in the body?
What is the role of water in the body?
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What are the five food groups in the USDA’s MyPlate plan?
What are the five food groups in the USDA’s MyPlate plan?
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What is the primary action of gastric lipase?
What is the primary action of gastric lipase?
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Which substance is primarily absorbed in the colon?
Which substance is primarily absorbed in the colon?
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What does the liver convert complex sugars into after digestion?
What does the liver convert complex sugars into after digestion?
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What process occurs in the stomach to prepare food for the small intestine?
What process occurs in the stomach to prepare food for the small intestine?
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Which enzyme digests lactose in the small intestine?
Which enzyme digests lactose in the small intestine?
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During what timeframe does chyme typically leave the stomach?
During what timeframe does chyme typically leave the stomach?
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What role does the liver not perform?
What role does the liver not perform?
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Where does the digestion of carbohydrates primarily occur?
Where does the digestion of carbohydrates primarily occur?
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What happens to proteins in the liver following digestion?
What happens to proteins in the liver following digestion?
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Which nutrient type is absorbed most quickly in the digestive tract?
Which nutrient type is absorbed most quickly in the digestive tract?
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What is the recommended daily intake of protein for women?
What is the recommended daily intake of protein for women?
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Which condition results from the breakdown and loss of proteins exceeding intake?
Which condition results from the breakdown and loss of proteins exceeding intake?
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What role does vitamin D play in the body?
What role does vitamin D play in the body?
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How are water-soluble vitamins absorbed in the body?
How are water-soluble vitamins absorbed in the body?
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Which mineral is most abundant in the body?
Which mineral is most abundant in the body?
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What happens when the intake of fat-soluble vitamins exceeds the body's requirements?
What happens when the intake of fat-soluble vitamins exceeds the body's requirements?
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What can excessive protein breakdown lead to in the body?
What can excessive protein breakdown lead to in the body?
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What is the primary function of water in the body?
What is the primary function of water in the body?
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Which vitamin plays a significant role in tissue healing?
Which vitamin plays a significant role in tissue healing?
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How does the body respond to inadequate water intake?
How does the body respond to inadequate water intake?
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What is a potential effect of excessive protein intake?
What is a potential effect of excessive protein intake?
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Which vitamin must attach to intrinsic factor to be absorbed?
Which vitamin must attach to intrinsic factor to be absorbed?
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What role do minerals play in the body aside from maintaining fluid balance?
What role do minerals play in the body aside from maintaining fluid balance?
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What can result from dehydration in vulnerable populations?
What can result from dehydration in vulnerable populations?
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Which statement best describes the primary function of polysaccharides?
Which statement best describes the primary function of polysaccharides?
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What is the primary molecule carbohydrates are converted to during metabolism?
What is the primary molecule carbohydrates are converted to during metabolism?
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How much energy do carbohydrates provide per gram?
How much energy do carbohydrates provide per gram?
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What can occur due to excessive intake of carbohydrates over time?
What can occur due to excessive intake of carbohydrates over time?
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Which group of fats is known to promote heart health?
Which group of fats is known to promote heart health?
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What are triglycerides primarily composed of?
What are triglycerides primarily composed of?
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Which vitamins require fat for their absorption?
Which vitamins require fat for their absorption?
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What defines essential amino acids?
What defines essential amino acids?
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Which type of protein contains all essential amino acids?
Which type of protein contains all essential amino acids?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of unsaturated fats?
Which of the following is a characteristic of unsaturated fats?
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What role do essential fatty acids play in the body?
What role do essential fatty acids play in the body?
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What happens to excess glucose when carbohydrates are consumed in excess?
What happens to excess glucose when carbohydrates are consumed in excess?
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What type of carbohydrates are recommended to make up most daily intake?
What type of carbohydrates are recommended to make up most daily intake?
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What is the primary function of proteins in the body?
What is the primary function of proteins in the body?
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Study Notes
Nutritional Health
- Nutritional health is determined by the balance between nutrient intake and nutritional requirements.
- Adequate nutrient consumption meets individual needs and avoids excesses and deficiencies.
- Factors impairing nutritional health include excess saturated fat, leading to high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.
- Food insecurity negatively affects nutritional status, leading to poor quality of life, compromised immune systems, and various health issues in adults.
- Food insecurity in children can result in underweight, wasting, growth problems, rickets, tooth decay, or obesity.
Plant-Based Diets
- Approximately 10 million Americans follow plant-based diets.
- Plant-based diets have seen a dramatic increase in popularity over the past decade.
- Age is a factor, with more individuals under 40 following plant-based diets than those over 50.
- Reasons for adopting plant-based diets include ethical concerns about animal welfare and health benefits.
- Vegetarian diets are generally low in fat compared to diets including meat.
- Lacto-vegetarian diets exclude meat, fish, poultry, and eggs but include milk, cheese, and dairy.
- Lacto-ovo-vegetarians include eggs in their diets.
- Pescatarians follow a vegetarian diet but include fish.
- Vegans consume only plant-based foods.
- Vegan diets may lead to deficiencies in calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12.
- Vegans should include fortified foods or supplements to ensure adequate vitamin B12 intake.
- All vegetarians need to consume sufficient amounts of calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamin D through plant-based sources.
- Vitamin C intake is crucial to facilitate iron absorption.
Nutrients
- Nutrients are substances found in food that the body needs for health, growth, maintenance, and repair.
- Nutrient-dense foods offer high levels of essential nutrients with fewer calories.
- Major nutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and water.
- Macronutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, supply energy in larger amounts.
- Micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, are needed in smaller quantities but play vital roles.
- Water is essential for survival and plays significant roles in body functions.
Macronutrients
- Carbohydrates supply energy to the body and are primarily sourced from plant foods.
- Monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, galactose) are simple sugars quickly absorbed.
- Disaccharides (sucrose, lactose, maltose) are found in milk, sugar cane, sugar beets, honey, and fruits.
- Polysaccharides (grains, legumes, root vegetables) are complex carbohydrates that provide sustained energy release.
- Dietary fiber, a polysaccharide, contributes to disease prevention, particularly in the digestive and cardiovascular systems.
- Carbohydrates are mainly converted to glucose, which is the primary energy source for body cells.
- Carbohydrates provide 4 kcal per gram.
- The recommended daily intake of carbohydrates is 125 to 175 g, with emphasis on complex carbohydrates and fiber.
- Excess carbohydrate intake can lead to obesity, dental caries, and elevated triglycerides.
- Insufficient intake can result in tissue wasting and metabolic acidosis.
Lipids (Fats)
- Lipids are substances that dissolve in alcohol but not in water.
- Fats serve as a secondary fuel source for the body, providing 9 kcal per gram.
- Triglycerides comprise the majority of fats consumed and are classified based on their length, saturation, and essentiality.
- Saturated fats hold all the hydrogen ions they can, while unsaturated fats lack some hydrogen ions.
- Unsaturated fats, particularly olive oil, are considered heart-healthy.
- Essential fatty acids, such as linoleic and linolenic acids, are crucial for prostaglandin production.
- Prostaglandins contribute to muscle activity, blood vessel response, blood clotting, and inflammation.
- Other roles of fats include energy storage, padding, insulation, and cell membrane integrity.
- Phospholipids, such as lecithin, are involved in fat transport.
- Sterols, such as cholesterol, are necessary for bile production and digestion.
- Excessive cholesterol intake is linked to heart disease.
Proteins
- Proteins are organic compounds composed of amino acids, essential for all living organisms.
- Proteins are classified as essential or nonessential and as complete or incomplete.
- Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through diet.
- Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids and are found in animal products.
- Incomplete proteins lack some essential amino acids and are found in plant sources.
- Combining different plant proteins can create a complete protein profile.
- Proteins are crucial for tissue building, enzyme and antibody production, blood clotting, hormone formation, and fluid and electrolyte balance.
- Proteins provide 4 kcal per gram.
- The recommended daily intake of protein is 56 g for men and 45 g for women.
- A negative nitrogen balance, due to protein breakdown exceeding intake, can lead to metabolic complications.
- Excessive protein intake can contribute to obesity and impact body systems.
Vitamins
- Vitamins are micronutrients that regulate body functions.
- Most vitamins must be obtained through diet, except for vitamin D and K.
- Vitamin D is produced by the skin through ultraviolet irradiation.
- Vitamin K is synthesized by intestinal bacteria.
- Vitamins are classified as fat-soluble or water-soluble.
- Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are stored in the liver and tissues and can lead to toxicities if taken in excess.
- Water-soluble vitamins (B complex and C) are absorbed with water and are not stored to the same extent as fat-soluble vitamins.
Minerals
- Minerals are salts dissolved in water that carry electrical charges and are referred to as electrolytes.
- Minerals play a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance, acid-base balance, and other vital functions.
- Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, primarily found in bones and teeth.
- Phosphorus is involved in energy production and acid-base regulation.
Water
- Water constitutes approximately 60% of an adult's body weight and 75% of an infant's body weight.
- Water transports nutrients, regulates metabolic processes, serves as a solvent, acts as a lubricant and cushion, regulates body temperature, maintains blood volume, and assists in weight management.
- Insufficient water intake leads to increased blood viscosity, retention of toxins and waste, and health risks.### Dehydration
- Dehydration can lead to hospitalizations and even death, especially in infants, children, and older adults.
Digestion
- Digestion begins in the mouth with mechanical breakdown by teeth and chemical breakdown by salivary enzymes.
- The food bolus travels through the esophagus, which does not digest food.
- The bolus then enters the stomach, where it is stored and further broken down by digestive enzymes.
- Minimal absorption occurs in the stomach.
- The bolus becomes chyme, a mixture of food, water, and digestive enzymes.
- It takes approximately 4 hours for chyme to leave the stomach and enter the small intestine.
- The small intestine is responsible for nutrient absorption.
- The colon absorbs water and electrolytes.
Digestive Enzymes
- Salivary amylase: Digests carbohydrates in the mouth.
- Gastric lipase: Digests lipids in the stomach.
- Pepsin: Digests proteins in the stomach.
- Pancreatic amylase: Digests carbohydrates in the small intestine.
- Pancreatic lipase: Digests lipids in the small intestine.
- Proteases: Digests proteins in the small intestine.
- Lactase: Digests lactose in the small intestine.
- Lipase: Digests lipids in the small intestine.
- Maltase: Digests maltose in the small intestine.
- Sucrase: Digests sucrose in the small intestine.
- Various peptidases: Digest proteins in the small intestine.
Metabolism
- Metabolism is the process of using energy from food.
- The liver is the primary organ responsible for metabolism.
- Carbohydrate metabolism: the liver converts complex sugars into glucose, which is then converted to energy or fatty acids.
- Protein metabolism: the liver removes ammonia from the blood and converts it to urea. It also produces plasma proteins, like coagulation factors.
- Lipid metabolism: the liver manufactures bile, which aids in digestion. It also breaks down fatty acids for energy.
- The liver detoxifies alcohol and metabolizes oral drugs.
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Description
Explore the fundamentals of nutritional health and the growing trend of plant-based diets. This quiz covers the balance of nutrient intake, the impact of food insecurity on health, and the reasons behind the rise of plant-based eating among Americans. Test your knowledge on the importance of diet in maintaining overall health.
