Chapter 1 Nutrition Terms

24-hour recall

listing the types, amounts, and preparation of all foods eaten in the past 24 hours

anthropometric measurements

measurements of height, weight, head, skinfold

atherosclerosis

a form of arteriosclerosis affecting the intima (inner lining) of the artery walls

biochemical tests

involving biology and chemistry

caliper

mechanical device used to measure percentage of body fat by skinfold measurement

carbohydrates (CHO)

the nutrient providing the major source of energy in the average diet

circulation

the body process whereby the blood is moved throughout the body

clinical examination

physical observation

cumulative effects

results of something done repeatedly over many years

deficiency diseases

disease caused by the lack of a specific nutrient

dietary-social history

evaluations of food habits, including client’s ability to buy and prepare foods

dietitian nutritionist

a professional trained to assess nutrition status and recommend appropriate diet therapy

digestion

breakdown of food in the body in preparation for absorption

elimination

evacuation of wastes

essential nutrients

nutrients found only in food

fats (lipids)

highest caloric-value nutrient

food diary

written record of all food and drink ingested in a specified period

goiter

enlarged tissue of the thyroid gland due to deficiency of iodine

health disparities

a difference in health outcomes among subgroups often linked to social, economic, or environmental disadvantages

health literacy

the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions

iron deficiency

a condition in which the body does not have enough usable iron due to inadequate intake, bleeding, or absorption problems

malnutrition

any nutrition imbalance

minerals

one of many inorganic substances essential to life

nutrient density

nutrient value of foods compared with the number of calories

nutrients

chemical substance found in food that is necessary for good health

nutrition

the result of those processes whereby the body takes in and uses food for growth, development, and the maintenance of health

nutrition assessment

evaluation of nutritional status

nutritional status

one’s physical condition as determined by diet

nutritious

foods or beverages containing substantial amounts of essential nutrients

obesity

excessive body fat and BMI over 30

osteomalacia

a condition in which bones become soft, usually in adult women, because of calcium loss

osteoporosis

condition in which bones become brittle because there have been insufficient mineral deposits, especially calcium

proteins

the only one of six essential nutrients containing nitrogen

respiration

breathing

rickets

deficiency disease caused by the lack of vitamin D; causes malformed bones and pain in infants

vitamins

organic substances necessary for life although they do not, independently, provide energy

water

major constituent of all living cells; composed of hydrogen and oxygen

wellness

a state of physical, mental, and social well-being