1. An understanding of the terms used in Nutrition and Nutrition
related problems
Diet: what a person eats every day.
Balanced diet: it is a diet containing all the nutrients needed by the
individual to promote a healthy status. It provides de correct amount of
and quality of nutrients for that individual.
Nutrient: a molecule contained in food that is used by the individual to keep
body functioning. The macronutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, fats.
The micronutrients are the vitamins and the minerals (Ca, Fe, Vit A, Vit C,
Vit D, Vit B group, …).
Food: it is a solid or liquid, coming from plants or animals, which provides
the body with nutrients. That food should be safe to eat not to transmit
disease.
Individual: the needs of the individual depend on age, sex, height, weight,
activity, illness, state of body.
Undernutrition: insufficient intake of nutrients due to a shortage of food.
Marasmus (less kcal than what is needed) and Kwashiorkor (not only less
amount of kcal but also less amount of proteins in the diet than what it is
needed).
Malnutrition: unbalanced intake of nutrients, generally due to poor food
choices. Bulimia and Anorexia Nervosa.
Overnutrition: excessive intake of nutrients (kcal, saturated fats, Na,
simple sugars,…). Overweight, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure.
Deficiency Disease: it is a group of illness brought about by the lack of a
particular nutrient. Anaemia (lack of iron), Scurvy (lack of vitamin C).
Dietary Guidelines:
1.Reduce the consumption of sugar. It will prevent obesity and tooth decay.
2.Eat less saturated fats. It will prevent obesity, heart disease.

2. 3. Eat more dietary fiber contained in fruits, vegetables, whole grain
cereals products. It will prevent intestinal disorders like constipation,
haemorroids, diverticular disease, colon cancer.
4. Eat less salt to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.
5. Drink less alcohol to prevent kidney failure, damage of the heart and
obesity.
6. Eat a variety of foods and enjoy your food.
7. Do not skip meals, it is important to have 4 to five meals a day.
8. Eat the right amount of food to maintain a healthy weight according to
age, sex, height, bone structure (ideal weight).
Metabolism:
(Basal Metabolic Rate) Within the body chemical reactions and changes are
continually taking place. This enables body to carry out all the necessary
functions and processes as well to grow and replace damaged and worn out
body cells. This complex collection of chemical reactions is called
METABOLISM, where energy is required and sometimes produced
(catabolism and anabolism).