Nutritional Facts
Nutrition has become a major issue today with the growing incidence of diseases, which have diet as the root cause. Diseases like hypertension, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes have all been attributed to a bad diet and lifestyle.
The focus of studies has moved from actually finding an immediate cure to finding out the diet disease relationship and trying to find out the role that a change in diet can cause in the health of a person.
There has also been a change in attitude of people and with growing awareness among people regarding health issues and the direct relation between diet and health the trends are slowly changing for the better. The nutritional deficiency that was a common thing a few years ago is soon disappearing.
United States – Nutrient Consumption
A sample survey conducted during the year 1977-78 showed that nearly 41% of the calorie consumption in a day has come from the fat category with a few exceptions with only 35% fat intake. It was seen that 41% of the fatty food was contributed to fish and poultry, oils and fats contributed 26% and dairy products like milk, cheese contributed 14%.
The recent studies have shown a reduction in the fat intake per person from 1960s. The intake of dairy products, pork and beef has shown a remarkable decline during the years 1977 and 1985, although fish and poultry have not had to give up their positions.
Carbohydrates
Studies have shown that the several changing trends in the diet. The carbohydrate level that was provided by the food supply department of United states has gone down by 20% and it has also been seen that a 34% decline in crude fibre component in the diet has taken place. Grains formed the major share of the carbohydrate diet followed by sugar and sweeteners.
The Protein Category
The Nationwide Food Consumption survey that took place in 1977-78 reported that 88% of the population was consuming atleast 70% of the Recommended dietary allowance (laid down by the National Academy of Sciences).
The average protein intake in the diet is seen to be much more than what is laid down by the National Academy Sciences Recommended dietary allowance. The protein intake seems to have a direct relation to the incomes of the people.
It has been seen that vegetable protein, which is less expensive, has seen a decline in intake as compared to animal protein, which has only increased over the years. The protein contribution from the various sources as per a 1977 survey was seen to be a huge 47% from fish, meat and poultry, 19% from milk and dairy products, 17% from grains, only 5% from vegetables and 2% from fruits.
Calcium
It is seen that the calcium intake has reduced drastically especially since milk being replaced by carbonated drinks in many diets. This has led to about 15-20 million Americans falling prey to the dreaded osteoporosis.
A high fracture rate is seen especially in case of women in the post-menopausal age group. It was seen that about 80% of females above 18 years did not have the minimum required calcium intake, which is now turning into a grave matter of concern.
Iron
It was seen that iron was another element that did not play a major part of the diets of people. 68% of people did not have the minimum specified iron intake.
This is a very disturbing trend as iron plays a major role in the overall health of an individual.
Diet And Chronic Diseases – The Relation
Coronary heart disease – a major killer – is a diet related disease and it is seen that high blood cholesterol is a great risk factor for the disease. The studies have been analysing the cholesterol levels among males and females. The studies have recommended an average intake of 300mg of cholesterol each day. The survey showed a disparity in the cholesterol intake among males and females and recommended keeping it low or else it poses a major threat to the body by being a high risk factor for coronary heart disease.
Obesity
Obesity or high body fat is a condition that can lead to several other problems. Overweight according to studies is taken to be a BMI or Body Mass Index = 85 percentile or more. Different studies have brought forward various facts related to obesity and the general trends observed among males and females.
Obesity is not at all a desirable condition as it can lead to a number of other serious diseases like diabetes, hypertension and even specific kinds of cancers. It is seen that the mortality rate for male patients suffering from colon or prostrate cancer is higher in case of obese men in comparison to non-obese men. Even in women who are obese are seen to have a high mortality rate in case of breast cancer and the like.
Diabetes
Several factors like obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle have been pointed out as causative factors for diabetes. A study shows that nearly 7% of the US population is diabetic. It is also seen that there are more diabetic females as compared to males.
Cancer
Cancer is also seen nowadays as a lifestyle related disease. Cancers like stomach, breast, colon, and pancreas cancer have been attributed to an unhealthy diet.
Some studies on animals have shown that with increase in fat content in the body there is a higher risk to cancers like breast and colon cancer.
Alcohol intake and related problems
Alcohol has a major role to play in case of accident deaths and also suicides or homicides. It can also be a major factor in case of diseases like cirrhosis.
As per a study in the United States, out of alcohol that was consumed here 51% was accounted for by beer, 36% from distilled spirits and wine made up for 13%.
High Risk Categories
It is seen that maternal nutrition or the nutrition of the expectant mother has a direct relation on not only the baby’s health but also to a great extent determines the survival rate of the baby. A well-nourished mother with a normal weight gain is more likely to give birth to a healthy baby as compared to a mother who has not had adequate nutrition and is under-nourished.
Breast feeding has shown a positive trend. It is seen that there has definitely been an increase in breast feeding of babies. The breast feeding incidence is although higher in case of older mothers as compared to younger mothers.
Low Haemoglobin And Iron Deficiency
Low haemoglobin content or iron deficiency has been seen in several pregnant women, which is a matter of concern as it directly affects the health of the baby.
Supplements
Studies have shown that inspite of the deficiencies that have been reported not many people are actually into taking multivitamin supplements on a regular basis. The 35 years and older age group showed a trend of having vitamin supplements.