Understanding:
• Essential nutrients cannot be synthesised by the body, therefore they have to be included in the diet
A nutrient is a chemical substance found in foods that is used in the human body
- There are six classes of nutrients – carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals and water
Essential nutrients are those that cannot be synthesised by the body and must be ingested as part of the diet
- Non-essential nutrients can be made by the body or have a replacement nutrient which serves the same dietary purpose
- Carbohydrates are not considered essential nutrients as human diets can obtain energy from other sources without ill effect
Types of Nutrients
Understanding:
• Malnutrition may be caused by a deficiency, imbalance or excess of nutrients in the diet
Malnutrition is a health condition caused by a deficiency, imbalance or excess of nutrients in the diet
- It can be caused by an improper dietary intake of nutrients – e.g. overnutrition (too much) or undernutrition (not enough)
- It can be caused by the inadequate utilisation of nutrients by the body – e.g. due to illness or disease
The symptoms of malnutrition will vary according to the specific nutrient and the type of imbalance involved
- Common signs of malnutrition included stunted growth and wasting (undernutrition), as well as obesity (over nutrition)
Different Forms of Malnutrition
