PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION

MALNUTRITION

condition of the body caused by sustained deficiency excess, or imbalance in one or more nutrients. It has different forms and classifications.

UNDERNUTRITION

Condition resulting from the consumption of an inadequate quantity of food over an extended period of time.

Underweight

A child's weight is less than expected for his or her age (underweight-for-age)

Stunting

A child's height is less than expected for his or her age (underheight for age). This also means that the child has not grown to his or her potential due to chronic undernutrition or inadequate food to promote growth for a long period of time, or frequent long duration of illnesses at some point in the past.

Wasting

• A child's weight is less than expected for his or her height (underweight for height).

• It may be due to acute food deprivation or the presence of illness such as infection, or a combination of food shortage and illness in the immediate past.

marasmus

• A form of severe undernutrition.

• A child with this is severely wasted and has the appearance of "skin and bones."

MODERATELY UNDERWEIGHT

Weight is below $-2\text{ SD}$ to $-3\text{ SD}$ from the median weight for age of the reference population.

kwashiorkor

• A form of severe undernutrition referred to alternatively as edematous malnutrition.

• The symptoms may include edema, thin, sparse, or discolored hair, and skin with discolored patches that may crack and peel.

Chronic Energy Deficiency

• A result of long-standing intake of a diet that is inadequate in energy to sustain optimal growth and physical activity.

• This term is usually used to describe the nutritional status of adults.

• It results in thinness, low physical performance, and work capacity.

Overnutrition

It is a condition resulting from the consumption of an excessive quantity of food and hence excess calories over an extended period of time.

Overweight

Weighing too much for one's length or height.

obesity

A condition of being obese or severely overweight for height.

micronutrient deficiency

A pathological state resulting from a relative or absolute lack of an individual nutrient.

Vitamin A Deficiency Disorders (VADD)

• Determined by: Measuring blood vitamin levels, observing changes in eyes and skin, or checking for difficulty seeing in the dark (night blindness).

Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)

• A condition characterized by a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood.

• Hemoglobin: Necessary for transporting oxygen to tissues and organs in the body.

Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD)

• Refers to all the ill effects of iodine deficiency in a population that can be prevented by adequate iodine intake.

• Occurs when intake falls below recommended levels and the thyroid can no longer synthesize sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone.

Nutrient Imbalance

A pathological state resulting from a disproportion among essential nutrients, with or without absolute deficiency of any nutrient.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Also known as chronic diseases, these are not passed from person to person.

cardiovascular diseases

• A group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels.

• Includes: Coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism.

cancer

• A generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body (also known as malignant tumors and neoplasms).

• Defining Feature: The rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, invading adjoining body parts and spreading to other organs.

\chronic respiratory diseases

• Common Examples: Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), occupational lung diseases, and pulmonary hypertension.

DIABETES

A metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period.

bIOLOGICAL GROWTH

Occurs through cell multiplication during adolescence.

PHYSIOLOGICAL GROWTH

Depends on a variety of nutrients in food and a vast number of metabolic biochemical processes that supply the right materials, in the right place, and at the right time for forming and maintaining unique body tissues.

1. HYPERPLASIA

2. 2. CELL PROLIFIRATION

3. 3. HYPERTROPHY

3 PHASES OF CELL GROWTH

HYPERPLASIA

• An increase in the number of cells through the process of cell division.

• It is reversible when the initiating stimulus is removed.

CELL PROLIFERATION

The simultaneous occurrence of cell division (hyperplasia) and cell enlargement (hypertrophy).

DEVELOPMENT

The associated process in which growing tissues and organs take on an increased complexity of function.

Cephalocaudal Progression

Changes in structure and function that begin at the head, proceed toward the body, and move downward to the legs.

Proximodistal Progression

Development that starts at the central axis of the body and progresses outward toward the extremities.

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

represent two interdependent processes that span the period from conception to maturity—forming the normal pattern of the human life cycle.

INFANCY

• The first rapid growth spurt occurs during this phase.

• The growth rate tapers off in the second half of the first year.

CHILDHOOD

• The growth rate slows down and becomes erratic.

ADOLESCENCE

• The second rapid growth spurt occurs during this phase.

• The body undergoes enormous physical changes due to puberty.

• Hormonal influences trigger multiple physiological and body changes.

Adulthood

• The final phase of the normal life cycle.

• Growth levels off into the adult plateau and gradually declines during senescence (aging).

MENTAL GROWTH

• Involves abilities in communication skills and the capacity to handle abstract and symbolic material in thinking.

• Emotional Growth

Measured by the capacity for love and affection, the ability to handle frustration and its anxieties, the control of aggressive impulses, and the ability to channel hostility from destructive to constructive activities.

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL GROWTH

• Measured by the ability to relate to others and participate in group living and culture.

• Learning Sequence:

  1. Parents: First relationship where social/cultural patterns are learned.

  2. Family: Together with parents, strongly influences food habits and feeding patterns.

  3. Friends: Expands social development beyond the immediate home.

  4. Community: Broader societal interaction.

ERIK ERIKSON

identified eight stages in human growth.

MATURATION

Defined as the attainment of the body size, conformation, and physiological capabilities and characteristics of the species, guided by the hereditary materials with which the organism is endowed.

ADAPTATION

The result of the body's accommodation or adjustment to its immediate environment.

AGING

Just like growth, it is not a single independent phenomenon but a combination of processes that occur at different times across the lifespan.

HYPERTROPHY

• Growth that occurs through cell enlargement after cell division ceases.

• Growth ends when the total organ weight becomes constant.

• Example: The size of the uterus increases during pregnancy due to stimulation by estrogenic hormones, with uterine smooth muscle size increasing nearly 100-fold.

CELLS

Composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and various trace elements such as iron, sodium, and potassium.

60% WATER

Living cells are approximately % water, which is one of the primary reasons water is essential for life.

PROTEIN

serves as the major structural building substance of the cell.

NUCLEUS

• The control center of the cell.

• Directs cellular activity and is necessary for reproduction.

• Contains DNA, which carries the instructions for protein synthesis.

Plasma Membrane

• Limits and encloses the cytoplasm.

• Acts as a selective barrier regulating the movement of substances into and out of the cell.

CYTOPLASM

The site where most cellular activities occur.