Abstract:
Nutrition is a science as well as an art that links foods to health & disease, and involves promotion of skills and capabilities for the intake of a healthy diet at population level. It includes in-depth studies of the processes by which the human being utilizes food regarding their short- and long-term impacts on the physical, physiological and psychological components of health. Nutrition has a specific contribution in the promotion of health at each life stage. Malnutrition is the common term that refers to either under-nutrition or over-nutrition. Both states of malnutrition exist in most part of the world in different proportions, including Pakistan. Malnutrition results in specific health consequences for different age groups. Growth and development processes at prenatal and postnatal stages are deterred promptly from the standards when under-nutrition exists at these critical periods. Ultimately, the long-term consequences for children include poor cognitive capabilities and scholastic performance, unhealthy behavior and social attitude and, irreversible errors in personalities. Over-nutrition mostly refers to the excess intake of energy and macronutrients that usually leads to metabolic errors and non-communicable diseases among adults. More common metabolic consequences include diabetes, several cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers and relevant physiological disorders. Based on scientific evidences and research outcomes, nutrition has been declared as an unavoidable factor that has a major contribution in the promotion of all aspects of health and therefore, has a significant role in a country’s economical growth. All nations, specifically the developing countries, are therefore required to develop and adopt solid and stable strategies and policies that could improve the nutrition status at community level for the better interest of national economy and steady development.
Page(s):
191-191
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: International Food & Nutrition Conference" August 18th-20th, 2022, University of Swat, Swat (Book of Abstracts), Volume: 1, Issue: 1, Year: 2022