DQ Discuss why nutrition is a central component in health promotion
DQ Discuss why nutrition is a central component in health promotion
Discuss why nutrition is a central component in health promotion. What are some of the nutritional challenges for emerging populations? What roles do nutritional deficiency and nutritional excess play in disease?
Nutrition is essential to health promotion because it is necessary for our body’s growth, development, and normal functioning. For optimal growth and development, physical activity, reproduction, lactation, illness and injury recovery, and health maintenance throughout the life cycle, adequate nutrition is essential. For a healthy body, a well-balanced diet with enough of the essential nutrients is critical. Disease is linked to both excess and inadequate nutrition. For instance, chronic inflammatory conditions like obesity and cardiovascular disease can be brought on by a combination of inactivity and nutritional excess, particularly in the form of refined carbohydrates and saturated fats. Conversely, deficiencies in essential nutrients can result in slowed growth, compromised immune system, and common conditions like scurvy, osteoporosis, depression, and xerophthalmia.
Reference
National library of Medicine. Nutrients, Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (2017). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles
Nutrition is a central component of health promotion because most of the essential elements that promote good body functioning are derived from food and their deficiencies cause impaired functions in the body. Some diseases like obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and stroke have been linked to nutrition” (Falkner, 2018). Part of the objective of Healthy People 2030 is Nutrition and healthy eating, their goal being “improving health by promoting healthy eating and making nutritious foods available” (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion [ODPHP], n.d. Some diseases are associated with malnutrition, when the individual does not eat of the nutrients that promote healthy body functioning. Diseases like malabsorption syndrome whereby the individual cannot absorb the food nutrients are life threatening. People that eat better are strong, active, and more productive than hungry and malnourished individuals. Certain nutrients derived from food help for brain development and function.
Culture influences individual’s food choices. Different cultures have certain practices and beliefs about food, and they consume certain food sources more than others. For The emerging populations, economic barriers affect their choice of food. Healthy food, fruits and vegetables are more expensive than the canned foods and fast food which is cheaper and more convenient. Food nutrients are the substrates like vitamins and minerals and other elements that provide the body with what it need to function normally, these nutrients are affected by the method of processing, storage, and cooking. Nurses have an important role in educating the community on adequate food storage and processing methods that preserve the food nutrients. Eating too much of certain foods and nutrients can be a problem too. Excess salt, fat and sugar increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Nutritional deficiencies and illnesses that are associated with diet are treated using proper nutritious diet and lifestyle modifications. Good nutrition including breastfeeding promotes the health of infants. Balanced meal in the right proportions prevent malnutrition and illnesses related to nutritional deficiencies. Right proportions is important in checking obesity.
References
Falkner, A., (2018). Cultural Awareness. In Health Promotion: Health & wellness across the continuum. (Chapter 3). Grand Canyon University. https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs429vn/health-promotion-health-and-wellness-across-the-continuum/v1.1/#/chapter/3
ODPHP (n.d.). Healthy People 2030. Nutrition and Healthy Eating. https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/nutrition-and-healthy-eating
Discuss why nutrition is a central component in health promotion. What are some of
the nutritional challenges for emerging populations? What roles do nutritional
deficiency and nutritional excess play in disease?
Nutrition plays a key role in health promotion as food is a vital componentof daily and
social life, especially during celebrations and other public events. The kind of food a
person consumes has a direct effect on how the body functions, as well as its capacity and
health. Moreover, the development of several diseases like diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart
disease, stroke and hypertension have been associated with poor nutrition. (Falkner,
2018). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these diseases
are directly linked to nutrition and one of the most significant causes of death in the
United States. It is thus safe to say that nutrition requires utmost concern when it comes
to health promotion and education, particularly from the nurse’s viewpoint. (CDC, 2017).
