Writing to Learn 2 - Assignment Example

Food Nutrition Recommendation about energy, macronutrient and balance There are a number of nutrients needed by the human body for it to function normally. Deficiency or excessive intake of these nutrients is associated with some diseases. This means that there is a need for balance in the intake of these nutrients. Therefore, the WHO has continuously conducted its own researches and has provided information worldwide on the recommended essential human nutrient intake (Tukuitonga et al., 34). Some of the essential human nutrients include; carbohydrates, proteins, energy, fats and lipids, minerals, vitamins and trace elements.

However, these recommendations vary. They are given in consideration of the function, dietary intake patterns, requirement levels, metabolism and toxicity. The recommended level of dietary energy intake for an individual is the mean energy requirement of well-nourished and healthy individual. The human energy requirement is estimated from measures of energy needs plus the additional energy expenditure. The main determinants of total energy expenditure include; gender, age and body weight (Tukuitonga et al., 44). Thus, energy requirements vary for each gender and various age groups, and are both expressed as energy per kilogram of body weight and energy units per day.

Human beings need energy for; basal metabolism, metabolic response to food, physical activity, pregnancy, lactation and for growth. The energy requirements are used to predict the energy intake recommended levels for different individuals with similar characteristics but no exact measurements have been made. There is no implication on the exact amount of energy that must be consumed on a daily basis but there are averages of the amount of energy that an individual needs in a day, which depends on their age, gender, state of health and the work that one does in a day.

The average daily energy requirement for an adult is 8,700 kilojoules (Tukuitonga et al.,49).The daily intake may be higher or lower than 8700 KJ depending on an individual’s energy needs. Macronutrients are the three main food components, which include proteins, carbohydrates and fats. The average recommended daily macronutrient levels for an adult are; 50 grams protein, 70grams fat and 310 grams carbohydrates. All these recommendations also vary depending on individual characteristics such as age, gender and health status.

All these individual characteristics determine the individual needs of each person; therefore, there is no exact recommended amount for each specific individual. Any excessive intake or deficient intake of these macronutrients can result to some serious health related complications. There is therefore a need for one to ensure that he/ she takes these macronutrients in adequate amounts according to the body needs (Tukuitonga et al.,56). Nutritional related chronic diseases and prevention Some of the nutritional related chronic diseases include; diabetes, cardiovascular complications and obesity (Tukuitonga et al.,15). Diabetes occurs due to the poor uptake of glucose in the body because of insufficient functioning of insulin in the human body.

It can be induced by inappropriate diet. Cardiovascular complications such as atherosclerosis occur because of poor dietary intake that causes accumulation of fats around the heart and the blood vessels that makes it difficult for the heart and blood vessels to function normally (Tukuitonga et al.,87). All these chronic diseases can be prevented by intake of a balanced diet according to the recommended average daily requirements and the individual needs.Work citedTukuitonga, Colin, and Ingrid Keller.

Implementing The World Health Organization Global Strategy On Diet, Physical Activity And Health. Scandinavian Journal of Nutrition 49.3 (2005): 122-126. Web.