Gastrointestinal System, Malnutrition, & Obesity Concepts of Nutrition & Elimination

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms relevant to the gastrointestinal system, malnutrition, and obesity, enhancing understanding for exam preparation.

Gastrointestinal System

A system that is responsible for the digestion and absorption of food and the elimination of waste.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment in the body.

Malnutrition

A condition resulting from an imbalanced diet, including deficiencies in protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Obesity

Excessive amount of body fat or adipose tissue, typically defined as a BMI greater than 30.

BMI (Body Mass Index)

A measurement that uses height and weight to categorize individuals as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

Parenteral Nutrition (PN)

Nutritional support provided intravenously, bypassing the usual digestive process.

Enteral Nutrition (EN)

Nutritional support provided through the gastrointestinal tract via a tube.

Leptin

A hormone that helps regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger, which in turn helps to manage body weight and fat storage.

Metabolic Syndrome

A cluster of conditions—including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels—that occur together, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Nutrition Assessment

A systematic process of collecting and analyzing data about an individual's dietary habits and nutritional status.

Nutritional Screening Tools

Methods used to identify individuals at risk of malnutrition in various settings.

Patient-centered care

An approach to healthcare that establishes a partnership among practitioners, patients, and their families to ensure that decisions respect patients' wants, needs, and preferences.

Dietetics

The science of how food and nutrition affects human health.

Dietary Guidelines

Evidence-based recommendations aimed at promoting a healthy dietary pattern.

Weight management

A process of adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular physical activity to maintain a healthy weight.

Bariatric Surgery

Surgical procedures aimed at weight loss by making changes to the digestive system.