NUTRITION: CORNERSTONE FOR HEALTHY LIFE
*Kulkarni Reena, Srilakshmi, R. Goutham
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Nutrition is the scientific study of the food and nourishment, including food composition, dietary guidelines, and the role that various nutrients play. Dietary habits established in childhood are often carried into adulthood, so teaching children how to eat healthy at young age will help them stay healthy throughout their life. Nutritious food is that which provides sufficient energy and essential nutrients, helps in maintaining all biological processes of the body and health. Improper nutrition can result in grave diseases like severe acute malnutrition, Moderate acute malnutrition including underweight, stunting, micronutrient deficiencies and susceptibility to infections. Materials and Methods: All the references regarding nutrition are collected from various textbooks and online publications. Attempts are done to conceptualize the same to suit the need. Results: The balanced diet should comprise of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins. Daily recommended allowance of Food ingredients on an average are 1000kcal of energy, 20grams of protein, 25 grams of Fat, Calcium 600 mg, Iron 16-20 micro g/kg and so on. This requirement can be more in the critical periods of growth like Infancy, Adolescence and during disease convalescence. Discussion: Major Risk period for developing severe acute malnutrition is 6 months of life or during weaning period. The major risk period for growth stunting is between 4 and 24 months of age. During toddler age group fussy eaters and children accustomed to single food will end up in kwashiorkor, underweight/stunting. Micronutrients deficiency can impact upon overall performance of the child. Conclusion: It is estimated that 224 million children under 5 years are under nourished and 41 million are overweight or obese. “We are what we eat”. Hence proper knowledge on nutrition can aid in prevention of triple burden of Malnutrition.
Keywords: Nutrition, Malnutrition, Daily required allowances
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