Nutrition Basics: An Active Approach v3.0

Flashcards covering key concepts from 'Nutrition Basics: An Active Approach v3.0' including definitions of nutrition, health, disease, nutrients, the scientific method, genetic influences on health, lifestyle factors, and sustainable food systems.

What is the definition of nutrition?

The sum of all processes involved in how organisms obtain nutrients, metabolize them, and use them to support all of life’s processes.

What is nutritional science?

The investigation of how an organism is nourished, and how nourishment affects personal health, population health, and planetary health.

How is health defined?

A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

What is the definition of disease?

Any abnormal condition that affects the health of an organism and is characterized by specific signs and symptoms.

What does health promotion involve?

Activities and habits such as physical activity, healthy sleep habits, and a healthy diet that can assist in the promotion of health.

What are the six classes of nutrients essential for health?

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, water, vitamins, and minerals.

Which three nutrients provide energy to the body?

Carbohydrates, lipids (fats), and proteins.

How many calories per gram do carbohydrates provide?

Four calories per gram.

How many calories per gram do lipids provide?

Nine calories per gram.

How many calories per gram do proteins provide?

Four calories per gram.

What are macronutrients?

Nutrients required by the body in large amounts, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and water.

What are micronutrients?

Nutrients needed in smaller amounts, including vitamins and minerals.

What is the scientific method?

An organized process of inquiry that involves making an observation, coming up with a hypothesis, conducting a test, evaluating results, gathering more supporting evidence, and coming up with a conclusion.

What are epidemiological studies?

Scientific investigations that define the frequency, distribution, and patterns of health events in a population.

What is nutrigenomics?

An emerging scientific discipline that studies how nutrients affect gene expression and how genes affect our nutritional requirements.

What is epigenetics?

A rapidly advancing scientific field in which researchers study how nongene factors affect gene expression.

What factors constitute a person's socioeconomic status?

Income, occupation, and education.

What are some components of lifestyle that affect health?

Dietary habits, physical activity level, recreational drug and alcohol use, and sleeping patterns.

What defines a sustainable food system?

A system that can meet the needs of the current generation while providing food for generations to come without negatively impacting the environment.

What are some attributes of a sustainable food system?

Availability, accessibility, and affordability to all, as well as being humane and just.