The Importance of Proper Nutrition

Nutrition is essential for the body. Without it, many health problems can occur. It reduces the risk of diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, some cancers, and osteoporosis. It can decrease high blood pressure, lowers your cholesterol, enhances your ability to fight off illnesses, and improve your energy level. A lack of food can lead to malnourishment. Over 2 billion people suffer from malnutrition. Women and girls are prone to malnutrition. A lack of nutrition in women and girls are more likely to lead to anemia. A third of the children who die before they approach the age of five suffer from under-nutrition. They don’t have enough nutritious food and essential vitamins and minerals to grow, develop, and ward off disease (Health Poverty Action, 2018). While people may intake enough calories for daily subsistence, they can still suffer from ‘hidden hunger,’ with low levels of micronutrients due to little diversification of diets. 

Common signs of malnutrition include:

• unintentional weight loss – losing 5% to 10% or more of weight over 3 to 6 months is one of the main symbols of malnutrition
• a loss of interest in eating and drinking
• a low body weight – having a body mass index (BMI) under 18.5 puts you at risk of being malnourished 
• feeling tired all the time
• feeling weak
• getting ill frequently and taking a long time to recover
• in children, not growing or not putting on weight at the expected rate (NHS, 2020)

There are ways to prevent malnourishment like eating a more healthy balanced diet and consuming foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, seeds, beans and lentils, eggs, tomatoes, pork, and lean meats. Use milk that is low in fat or fat-free and try other sources of proteins like fish, beans, and tofu (Tuft Health plan, 2020).

By Nattlya A.

References

Health Poverty Action. (2018). Food and Nutrition. Retrieved from: https://www.healthpovertyaction.org/how-poverty-is-created/essentials-forhealth/foodandnutrition/gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4bGdlYbz6gIVTwiICR0EWQEaEAAYASAAEgJWVfD_BwE

NHS. (2020). Malnutrition. National Health Service. Retrieved from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/malnutrition/#:~:text=The%20best%20way%20to%20prevent,bread%2C%20rice%2C%20potatoes%2C%20pasta

Tuft Health plan. (2020). The Importance of Good Nutrition. Retrieved from: 

https://www.tuftsmedicarepreferred.org/healthy-living/expert-knowledge/importance-good-nutrition