HUMAN NUTRITION

Nutrition is the whole process of taking in food for good health and growth OR Nutrition is the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth.

Human nutrition can be defined as the science of food and how it is related to health. It involves the processes where all people (all living organisms) receive and process the nutrients essential for life. 

Nutrients themselves are defined as the chemical compounds from food that are found in a person's diet.

Food is any substance which is taken into the body to nourish or build up the tissues and supply body heat/energy.

Nutritional status has great impact on the level of health of the individual, family and the community. Sometimes the problem is not lack, but improper preparation and utilization of nutrient materials. To this effect malnutrition diseases are on the increase hence the need to highlight issues on food supply and adequate nutrition.

Malnutrition: Is a biological state resulting from deficiency or the excess of one or more essential nutrients.

Protein energy Malnutrition: This is a nutritional disorder that involves the excess or the deficiency of protein and energy-giving foods or nutrients

Under nutrition: This is a state resulting from the consumption of inadequate quantity and of food or a particular nutrient over a long period of time e.g. marasmus

Over nutrition: This is a state resulting from the consumption of an excessive quantity of food or particular nutrients over a long period of time e.g obesity.

Types of nutrients

-Essential nutrients: are defined as chemical substances found in food that cannot be synthesized at all or only in insufficient amounts by the body, and that are necessary for life, growth, and tissue repair. (Carbohydrate, fat, protein, mineral and vitamins ) They belong to different groups of macronutrients (needed in large amount) and micronutrients (needed in little amount)

-Non-Essential nutrients: are nutrients that can be synthesized at sufficient amounts by the body

Classification of nutrients

Nutrients are classified into five main groups, namely:

Carbohydrate, protein, fats, minerals and vitamins. Certain food items like the groundnut contain most of these nutrients that could build, protect and energize the body