Ch 4 : Food Preferences and Influences

Food Preferences and Influences

• A general definition of disease includes any abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of a part of the body.
• Noncommunicable diseases are chronic diseases and typically longterm
• Communicable diseases are defined as an infectious disease that is passed from person to person through direct contact with an infected individual.
• The six dimensions of wellness are emotional, occupational (job) , physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual. Addressing all six dimensions of wellness in our lives builds a holistic sense of wellness and fulfilment.

The Role of Diet in Chronic Disease

• There is a direct association between diet, obesity, body fat, and body mass index (BMI).
• The risk of developing obesity (and its associated chronic conditions) is the highest in those that eat a diet high in saturated fat and total calories (referred to as a Western pattern diet).
• The higher a diet is in saturated fat and cholesterol, the higher the risk of developing heart disease
• Highly processed foods, red meat and salt-preserved foods have been shown to increase the risk of developing cancer
• A diet low in added sugar and total calories is highly recommended for preventing Type 2 diabetes

Food Choices

• Cultural influences can have both a significant impact on health, nutrition and long-term health risks.
• For most people, it is not at all common to regularly consume 5,000 calories of high-fat, high-sugar foods; however, in specific cultural situations, it can be normal and needs to be considered as part of a more holistic nutritional strategy.
• Individuals living in poverty generally develop poor eating habits simply out of a need to survive. High-calorie, highly processed foods are cheap and widely available, and often the availability of grocery stores in economically depressed areas is limited
• Wealth does not guarantee good health nor any better food choices than low-income populations. However, wealth does allow for better access to healthier and more secure food choices
• Foods high in protein and fibre tend to have stronger satiety sensations, making them highly beneficial for balanced weight management.
• As far as the pace of eating is concerned, slower paced eating is associated with improved satiety and gut hormone responses in normal-weight participants
• Leptin is the hormone responsible for feelings of satiety
• Smoking is the leading caused in preventable deaths