Question

1.Identify 6 aspects that nutrition plays a role in ?6pts

2. Describe what Basal Metabolic rate is? What is resting energy expenditure? What are each of them essential for? What nutrients in our diets are a source of energy for our bodies and describe each.3pts

3. In order of succession identify the parts of the GI system and what is their mechanism of action in terms of the physiology of the GI system? 12pts

4. Why are dietary guidelines important when caring for our patients? What factors influence nutrition? Identify and define. 4pts

5. Identify 6 assessment findings that can be used to measure nutritional status? 6pts

Answer 1

1. Role of Nutrition

Nutrition is the organic process by which an organism assimilates foods and uses it for growth and maintenance .

Six aspects that nutrition plays role in:

a) Growth and development

Good nutrition is essential for physical growth and development. Malnutrition during pregnancy may affect the fetus, during early childhood affect physical and mental growth, during adult life affect health and efficiency.

b) Resistance to infection

Good nutrition is essential for healthy immune system. Malnutrition predisposes to infection.

c) Specific deficiency

Good nutrition is essential for promotion of health and for the prevention of nutritional deficiency diseases like Kwashiorkar, marasmus, blindness ( due to Vitamin A deficiency), anaemia etc.

d) Mortality and Morbidity

Indirects effects of malnutrition on the community are lower life expectancy, high infant mortality rate, high death rate, high sickness rate ( morbidity). Over nutrition is responsible for Hypertension, Obesity, Diabetes and other Cardiovascular diseases.

e) energy production

The main source of energy in human beings is the nutrient Carbohydrate. Fats also act as a source of energy. Carbohydrate metabolism results in production of energy.

f) Building blocks of the body

Good nutrition includes the consumption of proteins . Proteins are the building blocks of the body, essential for making up and maintaining muscles , blood, skin and internal organs.

2. Basal Metabolic rate ( BMR)

The amount of energy expended while at rest in neutrally temperate environment , in the post absorptive state is called BMR. BMR is the number of calories or the amount of energy needed to keep the body functioning at rest. Average BMR in man is approximately  1800calories and in woman is about 1400calories. Exercise may increase BMR.

Resting energy expenditure ( REE)

Resting energy expenditure is the energy expenditure or the amount of calories required for a non- active day ( 24 hr) by the body . REE is determining during the rest hour.

Formula for REE: Harris- Benedict equation

Female: (665.1+ 9.6× body weight) + (1.8× height)-( 4.7× age)

Male: ( 66.5+ 13.8× weight)+ (5× height)- (6.8× age)

BMR is essential for calculating the daily calorie needs of a person.

REE also helpful for determining calories especially in clinical conditions, ventilator patients. Helps in preventing over feeding or under feeding.

Nutrients as Source of energy

a) Carbohydrates : are the main source of energy. Carbohydrates should ormally provide 50 to 60 percentage of total calory requirement. 1 gram Carbohydrate provides 4 calories of energy.

b) 1 gram of Protein provide 4 calories of energy. It is not usually used for energy. In conditions , where there is no enough supply of energy from carbohydrates or fats, protein will breakdown to form energy.

c ) Fats : 1 gram fat produces 9 calories. Fat act as a source of energy for the body, when there is no adequate supply or metabolism of carbohydrates for energy.