Dietary habits
Dietary habits are the way people choose, prepare and eat food. They are influenced by culture, religion, family, income, education, availability of foods, advertising, health and taste. Some habits are healthy (eating breakfast, a variety of foods, drinking water); others are harmful (skipping meals, excessive sugar, salt and fried food, and food taboos that stop children or pregnant women eating good food).
Nutritional status
Nutritional status is the state of health of a person as a result of the food eaten and used by the body. It is assessed by:
| Method | What is measured |
|---|---|
| Anthropometry | Weight, height, BMI, MUAC, skinfold, head circumference |
| Clinical signs | Hair, skin, eyes, swelling, gums |
| Biochemical tests | Haemoglobin in blood, vitamin and mineral levels |
| Dietary assessment | 24-hour recall, food frequency questionnaire, food diary |
Children are weighed and plotted on a growth chart (the “Road to Health” card) every month. A line that flattens or falls is a warning sign.
Dietary assessment
A girl eats foods giving 40 g of protein a day. Her need is 50 g. What percentage of her need is met?
- Divide.
Answer: 80%: her protein intake is too low and the diet should be improved.
Choose the amount eaten and the amount needed.
Key terms
- Dietary habit
- A regular way of choosing and eating food.
- Nutritional status
- The health state resulting from nutrition.
- Anthropometry
- Body measurements.
- Food taboo
- A social rule forbidding certain foods.
Summary
- Dietary habits are shaped by culture, income, education and availability.
- Nutritional status is assessed by body measurements, clinical signs, tests and diet records.
- Compare intake with the recommended need.
- Improve poor habits with education.