Unit 4: Contemporary Nutrition Issues. Malnutrition (Undernutrition)

Transcription

1 Unit 4: Contemporary Nutrition Issues Malnutrition (Undernutrition)

2 Syllabus Link:

3 What is Undernutrition? Undernutrition: A condition that occurs when an individual s diet is lacking one or more nutrients. Undernutrition Eating Disorders Nutritional Deficiencies Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa Constipation/ Diverticulitis Anaemia Osteoporosis

4 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Eating Disorders In a wealthy country like Australia, starvation due to poverty is rare, but psychological causes, such as eating disorders, are more common. Eating Disorders, such as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa, affect approximately 9% of the Australian population.

5 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Anorexia Nervosa What is Anorexia Nervosa? Anorexia Nervosa is a psychological disorder that involves extreme self-induced weight loss by restricting food intake and often also exercising excessively. This disorder occurs most often in young women, aged from the late teens to the mid twenties. Causes of Anorexia Nervosa It is not fully understood what causes someone to develop an eating disorder. It occurs in people who need to feel in control of their body weight (as a result of a strict diet or exercise regimen) gives them a sudden sense of power. Sometimes eating disorders are triggered by peer pressure or because of the perceived demands for a particular body shape.

6 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Anorexia Nervosa

7 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Anorexia Nervosa Abnormal food and exercise behaviour may include; Cutting food into tiny pieces or perfect small shapes to make it last longer Chewing food and then spitting it out or vomiting Obsession with cooking and recipes despite not eating Exercising secretly (such as in the bathroom or middle of the night) Misuse of laxatives

8 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Anorexia Nervosa Physical Effects of Anorexia Nervosa Very Thin Body Shape - In Anorexia Nervosa, inadequate energy intake leads to the breakdown of adipose tissue (fat). Eventually the body starts to use muscle protein, resulting in an extremely thin and wasted appearance. Muscle Wasting Lanugo - Furry body and facial hair develop to help retain body heat. People with Anorexia Nervosa often feel cold even in warm weather due to loss of adipose tissue. Amenorrhoea - Menstrual periods stop as normal body functions start to shut down. Anaemia - Normal blood cannot form due to protein and iron deficiencies. Fainting - Decreased blood pressure and a decrease in oxygen that the blood can carry (because of anaemia) cause the person to feel weak and faint.

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10 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Anorexia Nervosa Economic Effects of Anorexia Nervosa Effect on unemployment Use of expensive resources to treat the condition (i.e: overseas clinics) Psychological counselling Special wards Hospitalisation

11 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Bulimia Nervosa What is Bulimia Nervosa? Bulimia Nervosa is a psychological disorder that is also known as binge eating. It is typical for someone with Bulimia Nervosa to consume an uncontrollable amount of food over a short period of time. Self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or extreme exercise behaviour are common following a binge-eating episode. It is difficult to identify someone with Bulimia Nervosa; they may be normal weight or slightly overweight, and they keep fairly normal eating habits most of the time, effectively hiding both the binge eating and the vomiting behaviour.

12 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Bulimia Nervosa Physical Effects of Bulimia Nervosa Side Effects from Frequent Vomiting are harmful; Stomach acid that is regurgitated with the stomach contents damages the gums, teeth (causing decay) and throat (causing bleeding and blistering, swelling of salivary glands and sometimes permanent voice changes). Pressure created during vomiting can cause bruising and swelling of the face. Both vomiting and laxatives can cause loss of potassium, which has led to heart failure and death in many cases. Nutritional Deficiencies

13 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Bulimia Nervosa Economic Effects of Bulimia Nervosa Counsellors and dieticians need to be assigned in hospital Medical cost Family support and community support groups

14 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Nutritional Deficiencies Nutritional Deficiencies occur as a result of inadequate intake of specific nutrients.

15 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Inadequate fibre Defaecation (passing of faeces) normally occurs to clear waste from the body. Some people may have several bowel movements a day; for others, once every 2-3 days may be normal. Dietary fibre is the indigestible parts of plant foods that is needed for healthy digestion. Dietary fibre helps to keep the bowel working normally, making the stool soft and stimulating contraction of the muscles that help expel it from the body.

16 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Inadequate fibre Physical Effects of Inadequate Fibre Inadequate fibre can have the short term effect of constipation, where the faeces are hard and dry, and difficult or uncomfortable to pass. In the long term, persistent constipation puts pressure on the muscles and lining of the bowel, causing some of the following health problems; Hiatus Hernia -High pressure causes part of the stomach to push upwards. This means the stomach cannot work normally and reflux is common.

17 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Inadequate fibre Physical Effects of Inadequate Fibre Varicose Veins - The increased pressure in the veins caused by constipation stretches the veins. Haemorrhoids - Haemorrhoids are like varicose veins around the anus, caused by high pressure. These can sting, itch and bleed. Diverticulitis - The high pressure in the bowel causes pockets to form at weak points in the bowel wall. Bacteria can cause inflammation and infection in these pockets. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, fever, loss of appetite.

18 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Inadequate fibre Physical Effects of Inadequate Fibre Colon Cancer - Fibre dilutes the stool, helping to make it soft and bulky and speed up passage out of the body. By doing this, fibre also dilutes harmful substances in the stool. Adequate fibre can reduce the risk of colon cancer.

19 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Inadequate fibre Economic Effects of Inadequate Fibre Cost of treatment Employment - sick leave Length of time for treatment Medical facilities

20 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Inadequate Iron Definition and Causes of Iron Deficiency (Anaemia) Iron helps to form haemoglobin which is needed to carry oxygen in the blood. Iron deficiency anaemia can be caused by: Blood loss during injury and menstruation. Inadequate dietary intake of iron. Reduced absorption of iron, due to: Diarrhoea which speeds up the passage of nutrients. Inadequate copper, which is necessary for iron absorption. 700,000 Australians suffer from Anaemia.

21 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Inadequate Iron Physical Effects of Anaemia Because iron enables the blood to carry oxygen to the muscles, which they need for producing energy, anaemia causes a feeling of weakness and faintness Lack of energy Persistent headaches Palpitations (rapid beating of the heart) as the heart beats faster to carry oxygen to the muscles Pale skin

22 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Inadequate iron Economic Effects of Anaemia Less output at work due to feeling lethargic Need to treat with blood transfusions Iron supplements

23 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Inadequate Calcium Definition and Causes of Calcium Deficiency (Osteoporosis) The long term effect of inadequate calcium is Osteoporosis, which means porous bones. Osteoporosis may be caused by one or more of the following; Insufficient calcium intake - Calcium is stored in the bones and teeth. After the age of 30, new deposits of calcium cannot be stored and needs to be replenished by the diet. Physical inactivity - Extended periods of inactivity, such as during a long illness, can lead to significant loss of calcium from the bones. Abnormal bone structure - This may occur as a result of a vitamin D or calcium deficiency during childhood or adolescence while the bones are still growing. 4 million Australians over 50 have osteoporosis or poor bone health

24 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Inadequate Calcium Physical Effects of Osteoporosis Gradual loss of calcium from the skeleton results in bones that are weak, less dense and more prone to breaking. Bones are unable to support the weight of the body, the bones may deform or fracture. Crush fractures (fractures that occur when the bones are unable to support weight of the body).

25 Conditions linked with Undernutrition - Inadequate calcium Economic Effects of Osteoporosis Medical care needed for elderly due to this condition Calcium supplements