The Council on Food and Nutrition of the American Medical
Association defines nutrition as “the science of food, (CFNAMA,2002). The
nutrients and the substances there in, their action, interaction, and the
balance in relation to health and disease, and the process by which the
organism ingests, digests, absorbs, transports, utilizes and excretes food
substances (Williams & Willains, 1999).
Association defines nutrition as “the science of food, (CFNAMA,2002). The
nutrients and the substances there in, their action, interaction, and the
balance in relation to health and disease, and the process by which the
organism ingests, digests, absorbs, transports, utilizes and excretes food
substances (Williams & Willains, 1999).
Nutrients come from food. Food provides both the
energy and the materials needed to build and maintain all body cells, (Gordon &
Wardlaw, 2002). Nutrients are the nourishing substances we must obtain from
food. These essential substances are vital for growth from infancy to adulthood
and the maintenance of body functions that keep us alive. For nutrient to be
considered essential, its omission from the diet must lead to a certain decline
in aspects of human health (Baltimora, Williams & Wikins,1999). In other
words, the lost aspects of health are recovered when the body receives the
essential nutrient.
energy and the materials needed to build and maintain all body cells, (Gordon &
Wardlaw, 2002). Nutrients are the nourishing substances we must obtain from
food. These essential substances are vital for growth from infancy to adulthood
and the maintenance of body functions that keep us alive. For nutrient to be
considered essential, its omission from the diet must lead to a certain decline
in aspects of human health (Baltimora, Williams & Wikins,1999). In other
words, the lost aspects of health are recovered when the body receives the
essential nutrient.
Malnutrition is a condition of impaired development or
function caused by either a long term deficiency or an excess in energy or
nutrient intake, the latter representing the state of over nutrition, (Breslow,
1999). The occurrence of specific disease of malnutrition depends mostly on the
food/population ratio.
function caused by either a long term deficiency or an excess in energy or
nutrient intake, the latter representing the state of over nutrition, (Breslow,
1999). The occurrence of specific disease of malnutrition depends mostly on the
food/population ratio.
Malnourishment is a condition that results from eating
a diet in which nutrients are either not enough or are too much such that the
diet causes health problems (UNICEF, 2010). It may involves calories, protein,
carbohydrates, vitamins or minerals, not enough nutrition is called
under-nutrition or under-nourishment while a state in which nutritional intake
exceeds the body’s need is over nutrition. In the short run, for instance a
week or two, over nutrition may cause no problems. Overtime, however, some
nutrients may eventually increase to toxic amounts, which can lead to serious
disease. Iron overload, for example can result in liver failure, and too much
vitamin A can lead to many negative effects (American Medical Association
[AMA], 2000).
a diet in which nutrients are either not enough or are too much such that the
diet causes health problems (UNICEF, 2010). It may involves calories, protein,
carbohydrates, vitamins or minerals, not enough nutrition is called
under-nutrition or under-nourishment while a state in which nutritional intake
exceeds the body’s need is over nutrition. In the short run, for instance a
week or two, over nutrition may cause no problems. Overtime, however, some
nutrients may eventually increase to toxic amounts, which can lead to serious
disease. Iron overload, for example can result in liver failure, and too much
vitamin A can lead to many negative effects (American Medical Association
[AMA], 2000).
Malnourishment is often used specifically to refer to
undernutrition where there is not enough calories, protein, or micronutrients (Young,
2012). A lack of adequate breast feeding leads to malnutrition in infant and
children, associated with the death of an estimated one million children
annually. The rate of malnourished children from teenage mothers is not as a
result of low level of education. This may either be from lack of education
about proper nutrition or from only having access to a particular or single
food source (Burchi,Fanzo & Frison, 2011).
undernutrition where there is not enough calories, protein, or micronutrients (Young,
2012). A lack of adequate breast feeding leads to malnutrition in infant and
children, associated with the death of an estimated one million children
annually. The rate of malnourished children from teenage mothers is not as a
result of low level of education. This may either be from lack of education
about proper nutrition or from only having access to a particular or single
food source (Burchi,Fanzo & Frison, 2011).
