Nutrition Concepts

Flashcards covering essential concepts, definitions, and vocabulary related to nutrition for exam preparation.

Nutrition

The body's intake and use of adequate amounts of necessary nutrients for tissue growth and energy production.

Nutrients

Necessary substances obtained from ingested food that supply the body with energy and support growth and function.

Malnutrition

An imbalance in the amount of nutrient intake and the body's needs.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

Minimum amount of energy required to maintain body functions in a resting, awake state.

Metabolism

Continuous process involving biochemical processes of anabolism and catabolism.

Macronutrients

Nutrients needed in large amounts, including carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water.

Micronutrients

Nutrients needed in smaller amounts, primarily vitamins and minerals.

Complete Proteins

Proteins that contain all essential amino acids, typically found in animal-based foods.

Incomplete Proteins

Proteins that lack one or more essential amino acids, found in plant-based sources such as beans and nuts.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamins A, D, E, and K, which dissolve in fats and are stored in body tissues.

Water-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamins that dissolve in water, including vitamin C and B-complex vitamins.

Antioxidants

Substances that protect body cells against the effects of free radicals.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

A measurement that relates body weight to height, used to categorize individuals into weight categories.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by limited caloric intake, often with excessive exercise.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by purging.

Enteral Nutrition

Nutritional support provided through the gastrointestinal tract via feeding tubes.

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)

Nutritional support given directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract.

Peripheral Parenteral Nutrition (PPN)

Less concentrated nutritional support delivered via a peripheral vein, used for short-term needs.

Digestion

The process of breaking down food into its elements for absorption and elimination.

Hydration

The process by which the body maintains fluid balance, essential for overall health.

BMI Formula

A calculation used to determine BMI: (Bodyweight in lbs × 703) / (Height in inches)².

Nutritional Assessment

A comprehensive evaluation of an individual's dietary intake and nutrient status.