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Disorders of Nutrition

A healthy diet consists of a variety of nutrients, the substances within food that nourish the body. A healthy diet helps people maintain a desirable body weight and body composition (the percentage of fat and muscle in the body) and to do their daily physical and mental activities. If people do not consume enough nutrients, a nutritional deficiency can result. If people consume too much food, obesity can result.

Disorders of Nutrition Sections (A-Z)

Minerals

Minerals are necessary for the normal functioning of the body’s cells. The body needs relatively large quantities of

Nutritional Support

Many undernourished (see Undernutrition) and critically ill people need additional nutrition (nutritional support). Artificial feeding, which uses commercial nutrient mixtures rather than food, is a common form of nutritional support. Nutritional support is intended to increase the amount of muscle tissue (muscle mass). It usually provides calories as well as vitamins and minerals.

Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome

(See also Obesity in Adolescents.)

Overview of Nutrition

Nutrition is the process of consuming, absorbing, and using nutrients needed by the body for growth, development, and maintenance of life.

Also of Interest

Test your knowledge

Bariatric (weight-loss) surgery is the treatment of choice when obesity is severe (when body mass index [BMI] is 40 or higher). Surgery is also appropriate for people who have a BMI of 35 or higher PLUS which of the following?