Introduction to Human Nutrition By Dr Mrs O

Introduction to Human Nutrition By Dr. Mrs. O. k. Israel 31/03/2020 1

Introduction: Definition of Key Concepts • Nutrition is defined as the science of food and the nutrients they contain and its relationship to health • Nutrition is an aspect of science that deals with the relationship of food to the proper functioning of the living body • It is the study of food nutrients and how the body utilizes them • It is the sum of the processes involved in taking in food nutrients, assimilating and utilizing them to promote good health, prevent diseases and prolong life and efficiency • Nutrition also focuses on how disease conditions can be prevented or reduced with a healthy diet 2

Introduction : Definition of Key Concepts • It involves how certain disease conditions may be caused by dietary factors such as poor diet (e. g. malnutrition), food allergies, metabolic diseases etc • Food is any substance which contains nutrients and are derived from plants or animal sources • Nutrients – is any substance which can be used by the body to provide energy and to support growth, maintenance and repair of body tissues • There are six (6) main types of Nutrients found in food, these include: • • • Carbohydrates Proteins Fats and oils Vitamins Minerals Water. 3

Introduction : Definition of Key Concepts • Macronutrients – are nutrients required in large amounts or large quantity e. g. Carbohydrates, Proteins, & fats • Micronutrients – are nutrients required in small amounts or small quantity e. g. Minerals & Vitamins 4

Importance of Nutrition • The study of nutrition is very essential for human development • Adequate nutrition is one of the factors for nurturing, sustaining, and maintaining the health of an individual and that of the nation • Back in 400 B. C. , Hippocrates said , “ Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food” • Today, good nutrition is more important than ever. At least 4 of every 10 leading causes of death globally are related to our diet (e. g. Heart dx, cancer, stroke, and diabetes) • Malnutrition in all its forms amounts to an intolerable burden not only on the national health systems but on the entire cultural, social and economic aspect of the nation and this is the greatest impediment to the fulfilment of human potential 5

Importance of Nutrition • Investing in nutrition therefore makes economic sense because it reduces the health care costs, improves productivity and economic growth and promotes education, intellectual capacity and social development for present and future generations • Although, food alone is not the key to a longer and healthier life, good nutrition should be part of an overall healthy lifestyle which also includes regular exercise, avoidance of smoking or drinking alcohol etc • The genetic composition of individual also play a major role in determining the health conditions but this can be influenced by our dietary intake and lifestyle 6

Importance of Nutrition • The importance of nutrition cannot be over-emphasized and these includes: • To know the composition of food and their proportion – The knowledge of the chemical composition of foods is essential in the dietary treatment of any disease condition • To know the quantity of food needed by the body – this is important so as to avoid development of diseases • For adequate food supply and improvement in food availability – availability relates to the supply of food through production, distribution and exchange (food security) • To reduce the rate of malnutrition, micronutrients deficiencies and diet related diseases • For education on diet combination and reduction in the rate of ignorance of food selection – Gives room for adequate knowledge in food selection & combination • To prevent food adulteration – adulteration is the addition of non food item to food in other to improve the quality 7

THANKS FOR LISTENING 8