INTRODUCTION TO NUTRITION

1. Unit -1 Introduction
a) Meaning of food, nutrition, nutrients etc.
b) Food Habits and customs
c) Factors affecting nutrition
d) Changing concepts in food and nutrition.
e) Relation of Nutrition to Health

2. FOOD
 Food is any edible material that supports growth, repair and
maintenance of the body.
 It is one of the basic necessity of life.
 It fulfills our daily requirement of nutrition.
 It provides energy for all activities.
 Helps to fight against diseases when we fall ill.

3. NUTRITION
 It is the science that describes the interaction of nutrients
and other substances in food in relation to maintenance,
growth, reproduction, health and disease.
 It includes food intake, digestion, absorption and
excretion.

4. NUTRIENTS
These are components in food that are required to
survive and grow.
Types:
Micronutrients – needed in small quantity
Macronutrients – needed in large quantities
Shortage can lead to deficiencies

5. FOOD HABITS AND
CUSTOMS
Refers to the way in which different people select,
cook, serve and eat food that are available
Why they eat, how they eat and which food they
eat
Different family customs which are acquired
Difference in country

6. FACTORS AFFECTING
NUTRITION
Socio-economic status
Cultural practices
Local tradition
Agricultural production
System of distribution of food
Lifestyle and food habits of community

7. CHANGING CONCEPTS IN
FOOD AND NUTRITION
Concept of nutrition have been changing over years
Initial attention was on macronutrients and it was followed by
micronutrients
Green revolution
 Improved agricultural practices
 Use of organic manure
 Hybridization of seeds
White revolution
 Milk cooperative movements – improvement in production and availability of
milk
Realisation of role of food and nutrition in health

8. RELATION OF NUTRITION
TO HEALTH
Good nutrition is essential to maintain good health.
Consumption of food is equal to bank balance.
Consume good foods for maintaining good health.
Avoid wrong foods to prevent overweight, obesity and raised
cholesterol level.

9. ROLE OF NURSE IN
NUTRITION
i. Health promotion
• Process of enabling people in the community to gain and
increase their control over health and thereby improve
their health.
• Educate about importance of exercise and physical activity
ii. Specific protection
Guide the people in the consumption of protective foods
iii. Prevention of nutrition deficiency diseases
Educate people about the deficiency diseases and consequences

10. Continued…
iv. Early detection and treatment of deficiency diseases
A nurse by herself can detect the deficiency diseases
v. Dietary advice and modification of diets
By utilizing her knowledge on food, principle of diet therapy and
therapeutic diets, she should advice patients
vi. Health and nutrition education and counselling
Provide information on nutrition and health aspects and counsel
patients and community