Reference no: EM133547973

Discussion Post: Nutrition in Healthcare

Part I

Every day, people make choices that affect their physical health and wellness. Some choices are influenced by the environment and social factors, which in turn contribute to people's health outcomes. Healthcare professionals (i.e., physicians, nurses, dietitians, sports medicine, etc.) are responsible for their own health by making decisions and practicing behaviors that enhance their wellbeing. Healthcare professionals also have a responsibility to their clients. While responsibilities may vary among healthcare professionals, it is important the healthcare team is alert to clients' nutrition problems and needs.

After studying Module: Lecture Materials & Resources, answer the following:

1. In one paragraph, give at least 2 examples of how culture, society, politics, or religion influences your nutrition. Discuss the role that food plays in your family or personal life.

2. Navigate to Your Digestive System and How it Works. View the webpage and share in 1 paragraph at least 1 example of something your learned about the digestive system.

3. Search the internet for 1 example of an over-the-counter medication designed to treat common digestive problems such as heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids. Write 1 paragraph describing a) appropriate and inappropriate uses for this medication, and b) adverse health implications associated with misuse and/or overuse of this product.

Part II

Carbohydrates have received a bad reputation, especially when it comes to their role in weight gain. All carbohydrates are not bad and the primary role of carbohydrates in the body is to supply the cells with glucose for energy. One type of carbohydrate is sugar. Some people are unaware that instead of avoiding all sugars, they can choose to include natural sugars found in vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fruit. On the other hand, most people know that too much fat poses health risks, but may be surprised to learn that too little does, too.

After studying Module: Lecture Materials & Resources, answer the following:

A. Navigate to My Plate and to the Diabetes Plate: What is the Diabetes Plate Method? (diabetesfoodhub.org) then, submit at least 1 paragraph comparing both for

1. similarities

2. differences

3. share who should follow MyPlate and who should follow the Diabetes Plate method?

B. Navigate to the American Heart Association and to the National Cancer Institute, submit a 1 paragraph analysis on the relationships between dietary fats and the risk of heart disease, cancer, or type 2 diabetes (choose one).

C. Choose a food label from your favorite snack, and take a picture of the Nutrition Facts on the food label. Navigate to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, "Interactive Nutrition Facts Label. Choose one ingredient from your label. Share with the class one health fact and one action step you learned about that ingredient in the interactive site.

D. Explain the differences between high-quality and low-quality proteins, and well-balanced vegetarian diets.

Part III

The body manages its energy supply with amazing precision. Consider that many people maintain their weight within about a 10- to 20-pound range throughout their lives. How do they do this? How does the body manage excess energy? How do bones, muscle, fat, fluid, and other tissue influence our body composition? However, overweight, and underweight both result in energy imbalance. Almost 42% of adults aged 20 and above are overweight placing them at risk of developing chronic diseases that affect quality of life.
After studying Module: Lecture Materials & Resources, answer the following:

A. Conduct a nutrition/survey interview with 2 athletes and ask them a) what protein or amino acid supplements they use in their diet? and b) why do they use those supplements? Then, navigate to and enter the name of the supplement. Provide 1 paragraph with your analysis of the products and what you found out about the products' nutritional characteristics (see Chapter 5, page 132 of your textbook).

B. Search the internet for a popular weight-loss program (i.e., Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, etc.), and submit 1 paragraph with the following:

1. Describe the diet plan

2. Evaluate whether the plan offers a nutritionally reliable way to lose weight or is it a Fad Diet (see Chapter 7, Table NP7-1, page 193 of your textbook)

C. In 1 paragraph, describe type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes by providing:

1. Characteristics

2. Definition

3. Causes & symptoms (see Chapter 20, Table 20.2, page 564 of your textbook).