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Nutrition refers to the science that deals with the various factors of which food is composed and the way in which proper nourishment is brought about. Home Economics and Livelihood Education 7 Seibo College 152 Human nutrition involves properly feeding the people. It is therefore important to learn more about nutrition, taking into consideration the three (3) important factors: a. the food we eat b. the way it is digested, absorbed and used in the tissues of the body c. the kind of people for whom the food is intended Good health or “wellness” is not a matter of chance. Good health is a product of good nutrition which is the result of an adequate supply of essential nutrients in your body. Lack of these nutrients lead to illness or a condition known as “malnutrition”. Malnutrition occurs if there is an imbalance intake of nutrients or an inadequacy of one or any of the nutrients. Malnutrition are manifested in the following cases: 1. obesity due to overeating- Obesity occurs when a person eats more than what the body requires under normal condition. This results in an excess supply of calories that leads to obesity or overnutrition. 2. stunted growth of children due to lack of protein- If there is no sufficient supply of carbohydrates or fats protein is used by the body as an alternative source of energy. 3. under weight due to lack of carbohydrates- If the total amount of nutrients provided by the diet is insufficient , it results to undernutrition. What is good nutrition? Home Economics and Livelihood Education 7 Seibo College 153 What are the causes of malnutrition? 1. ignorance or lack of knowledge about proper food intake 2. low standard of living 3. limited food supply 4. emergence of calamities or social unrest 5. increased family size 6. poor eating habits What are food habits? Food habits mean one’s attitude towards food. If the body is fed by junk foods and became over/under supplied with particular vitamins, protein or other nutrients then the body will suffer from malnutrition. Let us identify the factors affecting food habits.  Education – knowledge about nutrition will help one to make wise decision about food.  Foods available - The kinds of food available to you usually are the foods you eat. Some foods can grow only in certain types of geographic locations and this determines the foods available in such locations  Religion - What foods people can eat or cannot eat have been dictated by their religious beliefs. For example, Moslems do not eat pork because Islam forbids them to eat it. Home Economics and Livelihood Education 7 Seibo College 154  Ethnicity – members of cultural groups formed their own living patterns which include food customs. It includes what food can or cannot be eaten.  Income/economic status – the type of food you choose depends on how money you have. Income dictates what food you can eat and how you eat them.  Convenience -. Meal management practices affect food habits because you can only prepare and eat foods you can easily cook with the facilities and the knowledge you have. Food habit refers to the way in which different people select , cook, serve and eat food that are available to them. Home Economics and Livelihood Education 7 Seibo College 155 Look at the diagram below for a better understanding. FACTORS THAT AFFECT FOOD HABITS FOOD HABITS Education Foods available Religion Convenience Economic status Ethnicit | Quizalize