A . Nutrition and Health Nutrition and health are intimately interlinked. In the global campaign of ‘Health for All’, promotion of nutrition is one of the primary elements. Nutrition is concerned with maintenance of body organs and tissues in structure and function.
It is also concerned with growth and development of the body. Good nutrition enables the person to enjoy good health, resist infection, have adequate energy levels and perform daily tasks without feeling fatigued. In case of children and adolescents, nutrition is vital for their growth, mental development and achieving their potential. For adults, adequate nutrition is crucial to lead a socially and economically productive and healthy life.
In turn, the health status of an individual determines the nutrient requirements of a person and food intake. During illness, nutrient requirements increase, and breakdown of nutrients are higher. Therefore, illness and disease adversely affect nutritional status. Hence, nutrition is a ‘fundamental pillar’ of human life, health and development.