Personal Nutrition Case Study The World Health Organization defines good nutrition as an “adequate, well-balanced diet combined with regular physical activity” (World Health Organization, 2017). It is often difficult for a college student to maintain good nutrition due to a very limited income. An inadequate amount of time to exercise and prepare/eat meals also plays a role in a college student’s nutritional habits. Most college students toss good nutrition out the window and migrate towards foods that are easy to prepare and quick to eat. However, along with the convenience of these easy and quick types of food, come consequences as well. The food is usually extremely unhealthy which can lead to weight gain (Freshman 15) and other health …show more content…
The nutritional areas that need improvement include: vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and saturated fat intake. My dietary intake was very insufficient in many vitamins and minerals and also in dietary fiber. My diet also consisted of too many saturated fats. The nutritional areas that were sufficient to meet my needs include: protein, carbohydrate and added sugar intake.
Real and Potential Health Problems Vitamin and mineral deficiencies in my dietary pattern are two of the biggest potential health problems that I am concerned about. The body needs vitamins and minerals for a variety of functions, so they are stored up in case a deficiency occurs. However, if my dietary intake does not include these vitamins or minerals for an extended period of time, the stores will eventually be depleted and health problems can and will develop.
Health Implications
Specific implications related to the potential health problems above include the B6 vitamin and the calcium mineral. A vitamin B6 deficiency is the vitamin deficiency most likely to occur because I am of “childbearing age” and I am a “former oral contraceptive user”, both of which are risk factors (Lutz, Mazur, & Litch, 2015, p. 121). A calcium deficiency is the mineral deficiency most likely to affect my health as I age. I have a high risk of developing osteoporosis after menopause because I am a “fair-complexioned white woman” and
The influences of underlying health conditions can result in the need for specific nutrients as well as influencing what people are or aren’t able to eat.
Having bad eating habits can cause vastly eating disorders and illnesses. Students attending college that do not eat right are most likely to conceive an illness or become overweight. “An unhealthy diet is a major risk factor for becoming overweight and obese,” (McNight). Freshman 15 is most likely to get to the students that have This is something to think about when it comes to meal plans. The majority of the meal plans offered at any college are high in fats and calories. By consuming all of these foods you are more likely to having this problem.
It is essential for the human body to consume the proper amount of nutrients every day. Our bodies rely on nutrients to live a healthy lifestyle. The human body needs the equivalent amount of fats, carbohydrates, sodium, proteins, vitamins, and so for. Our body is provided with these dietary supplements through fruits and vegetables, grains, dairy products, and meats. When these supplements are not provided to the human body, there will be a decrease of health to one self. Individuals with the disorder Pica will experience the loss of important nutrients to the body.
Transitioning from a home of which most people spent 18 years of their lives with their parents, to moving to a completely new environment can have many effects on a person. For one, having a parent to cook or feed you most of the time can be very convenient. Personally, I have a mother who loves to cook. The refrigerator would always be stocked with healthy foods. However, as I moved to college, I must rely on myself to maintain a healthy diet as I would at home. This Is challenging because most of us college students are too focused on classes and school work, and don’t know how to cook or simply don’t have the time for it. This leads to easy mac, ramen noodles, and microwavable ravioli. Nutrition is a big health factor when it comes to college
Studying at a university is typically associated with students having a greater autonomy over their choices in diet (namely, food preparation and purchasing) and increased sedentary time due to studies. As a result, students face a greater risk of considerable weight gain. Indeed, research studies have found that significant weight gain takes place during university. In addition to decrease in physical activity, students are exposed to consuming commercially prepared food and take-away meals. These factors lead to an increasing number of overweight young adults. Statistically, in the U.S., the age range of biggest increase in obesity is amongst young adults, aged 18-29 years of age (Plotnikoff et al. 45).
minerals are need to maintain a healthy status overall. As I have learned in previous nutrition
Research by Bruce Ames, professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UC Berkley, suggests that micronutrient deficiencies affecting a large percentage of Americans (2% to over 20% for certain nutrients) is responsible for DNA damage that is essentially equivalent to that caused by radiation exposure This is believed to be a major cause of cancers. Micronutrients and Macronutrients Before going into Ames ' findings, we should clarify what constitutes nutritional deficiency. Nutrients can largely be divided into macro and micronutrients. Macronutrients are those consumed in large quantities and consists of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. These are the nutrients that are known best,and they are the ones responsible for giving the body energy, among other vital functions. Macronutrient deficiencies affect a large number of people in poorer countries, but for the most part, Americans are not deficient in macronutrients. Micronutrients, in contrast, are those that are needed in relatively small quantities and consists of various vitamins, minerals, and certain other essential nutrients. Among those examined by Ames are folic acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, niacin (Vitamin B3), Vitamin C, Vitamin E, iron, and zinc. Deficiency in these nutrients can result in DNA damage through DNA strand breaks and oxidative lesions. "Chromosomal aberrations such as double strand breaks are a strong predicative factor for human cancer" (Ames 2001). Thus, it is suggested that
According to theThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there are several important nutrients that most Americans generally either eating not enough
It is essential for the human body to consume the proper amount of nutrients every day. Our bodies rely on nutrients to live a healthy lifestyle. The human body needs the equivalent amount of fats, carbohydrates, sodium, proteins, and vitamins. Our body is provided with these dietary supplements through fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products, and meats. When these supplements are not provided to the human body, there will be a decrease of health to one self. Individuals with the disorder Pica will experience the loss of important nutrients to the body.
When I first read the instructions for this assignment I knew the results of my diet were going to be interesting. If you asked me what I eat the most here at college I would say goldfish, Annie’s boxed macaroni and cheese, and bagels which isn’t exactly a very healthy combination. Looking at the results of my dietary analysis and seeing how many nutrients in my diet I was lacking was somewhat surprising. I definitely need to make modifications to my diet to meet my nutritional needs.
There is a large problem with nutritious diets for college students worldwide. The reason for this is the lack of healthy options in college dining halls. No matter how hard students try to keep a healthy, nutritious diet they almost always end up collecting unhealthy eating habits throughout the school year. The limited healthy food on college campuses is affecting students negatively around the globe. I have heard of this happening at many colleges around the country but here at Arizona State University it affects me personally and I see it affect many of my fellow classmates, there needs to be something done to fix it.
A recent study conducted by the American College Health Association characterized 38.7% males and 26.1% females in college as overweight or obese. (Reed et. al 298) As much alarming a situation it is, it could also raise questions of validity whether college is the actual reason of this situation. Results from a prospective longitudinal study acknowledge this doubt, and suggest that men and women in their first year of college gain weight more rapidly than the average American at the same age. (Holm-Denoma et al. S3) The infamous “Freshman 15” is an implication of the same, where inappropriate diet results in freshmen gaining fifteen pounds of weight. These sources indicate that there seems to be a detrimental connection between college
College students in America have most likely heard of the infamous “Freshman Fifteen”. This is a popular term that claims to affect many students in their first year of college or university. Food consumption and diet in college often become inconsistent rather than what is typically consumed at home with their parents. The number fifteen signifies the number of pounds gained during freshman year. (Farlex Inc., 2012) These poor eating habits stem from students eating less fruits and vegetables and more of foods high in fat and caloric value. That’s why it is important for college students to follow the MyPlate guideline. MyPlate is a nutritional guide based on what is advised by the government’s Dietary Guidelines and is also meant to replace the well-recognized but somewhat confusing food pyramid. (TIME Magazine, 2011) Not only is MyPlate on Campus a program that serves as an initiative to get college and university students talking about healthy
Most college students don’t eat healthy because of lacks of funds and time (Reyes, 2010). When I was a freshman in college, I used to eat at the cafeteria every morning, evening, and night. When the cafeteria closed at 9 o’clock PM, I used to go to the deli and get a burger with chili cheese fries. I used to do that every other night. When I was busy with school, I honestly never had a set schedule when I would eat. It would vary from early in the morning or late at night. Freshman 15 is definitely serious. I gained over 40 pounds during my first year in college. The reason why I did because I didn’t have a kitchen to cook for myself. I had to eat fast food or at the cafeteria.
According to the(Journal of American) article many college students are finding themselves dealing with a bundle of health issues. Health issues that consist of serious physical conditions, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and can also trigger certain types of cancer. Just carrying the name alone obesity is a heavy itself, but containing theses loaded baggage’s can also cause a ton of damage to a college student body. Stressed over papers and different assignments to do most students find themselves consuming foods that causes these long term body effects.