Have you ever wondered exactly what nutrition is, why it’s so important or even why people always wonder what to eat when to eat how much to eat? We break it down for you in this simple to read article.
Nutrition is the food you eat, that your body requires in relation to your bodies need (WHO) or the process of nourishing your body. Nutrition is important for everyone and is a cornerstone of good health throughout the life cycle.
POOR NUTRITION CAN LEAD TO: –
reduced immunity
increased susceptibility to disease
impaired physical and mental development
reduced productivity
THE BENEFITS OF GOOD NUTRITION ARE NUMEROUS: –
- boost the immune system
- improve sport performance
- delays ageing
- protects teeth and gums
- enhanced concentration
- fights and prevents disease
- energy for life
- keeping a healthy weight
Nutrition and foods are not always good. Malnutrition (over and under nutrition) are huge problems globally. Under nutrition – indicates a lack of the necessary energy, protein or micronutrients required by the body for good health e.g. protein-energy malnutrition.
Micronutrient deficiencies occur when the body lacks one or more micronutrients resulting in deficiencies which usually affect growth and immunity e.g. anaemia (iron deficiency). Causes of under nutrition: lack of knowledge, fad diets, disease and illness, life cycle changes, poverty, inadequate diets….
SIGNS OF UNDER NUTRITION: –
- Unplanned weight loss
- Weak muscles and/or loss of muscle
- Feeling tired all the time
- Low mood
- Increase in illnesses or infections
- Slow recovery from illness
- Failure to grow at the expected rate
Changes in behaviour such as appearing unusually irritable, sluggish or anxious
842 million people globally, mostly in developing countries suffer from under nutrition and 1 in 3 child deaths are related to under nutrition.
Iron deficiency anaemia can occur when the body has a lack of red blood cells or haemoglobin to transport oxygen to the cells of the body – most common cause lack of iron in the diet.
