Nutrition & Diet Therapy Chapter 1

health literacy

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

health disparities

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

wellness

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

nutrients

chemical substances found in food that are necessary for good health

what are the 6 classes of nutrients?

carbohydrates (CHO), fats (lipids), proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water

essential nutrients

nutrients found only in food

which of the nutrient classes are organic nutrients?

carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins

which of the nutrient classes are inorganic nutrients?

minerals, water

organic nutrients

contain hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon, must be broken down into their smallest components before the body uses the

inorganic nutrients

are already in their simplest forms when the body ingests them except for water

carbohydrates (CHO)

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

what is the function of carbohydrates?

provide energy

proteins

the only one of the six essential nutrient classes containing nitrogen

what is the function of proteins?

build and repair body tissues, provide energy

fats

highest calorie value nutrient class

what is the function of fats

provide energy

vitamins

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

what is the function of minerals?

regulate body processes

water

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

what is the function of water?

regulates body processes

do the nutrient classes need each other to perform their functions?

yes

circulation

the body process whereby the blood is moved throughout the body

respiration

breathing

digestion

breakdown of food in the body in preparation for absorption

elimination

evacuation of wastes

nutritious

foods or beverages containing substantial amounts of essential nutrients

consuming foods rich in which antioxidant vitamins will help enhance your immune system?

vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene

hunger

the physiological need for food

appetite

a psychological desire for food based on pleasant memories

what does the body indicate when it signals hunger?

a decrease in blood glucose levels that supply the body with energy

nutrition

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

nutritional status

one’s physical condition as determined by diet

what are some characteristics nutrition helps determine?

the height and weight of an individual, the body’s ability to resist disease, the length of life, and the state of physical and mental well-being

malnutrition

condition that results when the body does not receive enough nutrients: the body’s cells do not receive an adequate supply of the essential nutrients because of poor diet intake or poor utilization of food

are those with malnutrition always low weight?

no, overweight and obese individuals can develop malnutrition if their diet is of poor nutritional quality

nutrient deficiency

occurs when a person lacks one or more nutrients over a period of time, classified into primary and secondary

primary nutrient deficiency

caused by inadequate dietary intake

secondary nutrient deficiency

caused by something other than diet, such as the disease condition that may cause malabsorption, accelerated excretion, or destruction of the nutrients

which individuals could be at risk of poor nutritional intake?

individuals of all ages and all circumstances

nutrient density

nutrient value of foods compared with number of calories

nutrient dense foods are normally primarily what nutrient class?

carbohydates, especially added sugars, and fats

what are some reasons individuals may have risk of poor nutritional iintake?

budget concerns, lack of access to healthy food due to geographic location

approximately how many Americans lack access to healthy foods?

29 million

what is a food desert?

an area where there isn’t a grocery within 1 mile of one’s home, 10 miles if they live in a rural area

who is especially at risk for iron-deficiency anemia?

infants, young children, teenage girls, and adults

why is nutrition important in pregnant teens?

their diet requires sufficient nutrients for the developing fetus as well as their own growing body

what are some factors that affect nutrition in the elderly?

depression, loneliness, lack of income, inability to shop, inability to prepare meals, and state of overall health

cumulative effects

results of something done repeatedly over many years

what is the cumulative effect of eating excessive amounts of saturated fats for many years?

atherosclerosis, which leads to heart attacks

atherosclerosis

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

what are the possible cumulative effects of years of overeating?

obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, gallbladder disease, foot problems, certain cancers, and even personality disorders

obesity

excessive body fat and BMI over 30

deficiency diseases

diseases caused by the lack of one or more specific nutrients

what is the most common form of deficiency disease in the united states?

iron deficiency

iron deficiency

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

what people groups are iron deficiencies common amongst and why?

women (lose blood during their menstrual cycle) and children (require more iron than normal because they’re growing)

what nutrient is beriberi a lack of?

thiamin

what nutrient is night blindness a lack of?

vitamin A

what nutrient is goiter a lack of?

iodine

what nutrient is kwashiorkor a lack of?

protein

what nutrient is marasmus a lack of?

all nutrients

what nutrient is osteoporosis a lack of?

calcium and vitamin D

what nutrient is osteomalacia a lack of?

calcium and vitamin D, phosphorus, magnesium, and fluoride

what nutrient is pellagra a lack of?

niacin

what nutrient is rickets a lack of?

calcium and vitamin D

what nutrient is scurvy a lack of?

vitamin C

what nutrient is xerophthalmia (blindness) a lack of?

vitamin A

rickets

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

osteomalacia

a condition in which bones become soft, usually in adults because of calcium loss and vitamin D deficiency

osteoporosis

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

goiter

enlarged tissue of the thyroid gland due to a deficiency of iodine

nutrient assessment

evaluation of one’s nutritional condition

registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN)

professionals who translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for improved health

who should perform a nutrition assessment to determine whether a patient is at risk for malnutrition in a clinical setting?

registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN)

what does a proper nutrition assessment include?

anthropometric measurements, clinical examination, biochemical tests, and dietary-social history

anthropometric measurements

of height, weight, head, chest, skinfold

clinical examination

physical observation

biochemical tests

laboratory analysis of blood, urine, and feces

dietary-social history

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

what are skinfold measurements used to determine?

the percentage of adipose and muscle tissue in the body

caliper

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

what can low hemolgobin or hematocrit indicate?

anemia

what can protein and sugar in the urine indicate?

kidney disease and diabetes