influenced by purchasing power (economic factors), environment (water and irrigation), and policies at the national and international levels. Culture, religion, social status, beliefs and taboos also influence our food choices, food intake, and nutritional status. How do good health and nutrition help? Look around you.
You will notice that people in good health are generally in a happier frame of mind and are more productive than others. Healthy parents are able to take adequate care of their children, and healthy children are generally happy and do well in school. Thus, when one is healthy, one is more constructive for oneself and can take active part in activities at the community level. It is therefore obvious that one cannot achieve good health and be productive, sociable and a contributory member of society if one is starving and undernourished.
Table : Optimum nutritional status is important because it— maintains body weight provides resistance to infection maintains muscle mass helps to cope with physical and mental stress decreases risk of disability improves productivity F igure : H ealth and N utritional inputs required for P roductivity Productivity Food Optimum Nutrition Positive Health Sanitation and Health Access to Services/ Facilities Education and Skills Good Environ- ment Figure summarises the benefits of good nutritional status for children’s education. F igure : B enefits of G ood N utritional S tatus for C hildren ’ s E ducation What is malnutrition? Malnutrition is a deviation from the normal state of nutrition. When the intake of nutrients is less than the amount that is required by the body, or in excess of the requirements, malnutrition results.
Malnutrition can take the form of overnutrition or undernutrition. Excess intake of nutrients results in overnutrition; inadequate intake results in undernutrition. Wrong food choices and combinations can be a very significant cause of malnutrition in adolescents.