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UNIT-III, a. Nutrition, Health and Hygiene (Part-1), , Introduction:,  In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights stated: “Everyone has the right to a, standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of oneself and one’s family, including food”.,  The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete mental,, physical and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease”.,  Disease means impairment of body health, alteration/disruption/derangement in function, of some part or organ of the body, interrupting normal functions and deviating from a, state of complete well-being., , Health and Its Dimensions:, The definition of health includes various dimensions–social, mental and physical., i). Social health: It refers to health of individuals and of a society. When we are concerned with, society, it refers to a society in which there is equal opportunity and access for all citizens to the goods, and services essential for good health., ii). Mental health: This refers to emotional and psychological well-being. The below lists are the, indicators of mental health with positive mental health:, • feels that he/she is capable and competent., • can handle normal levels of stress he/she faces in daily life., • has satisfying relationships., • can lead an independent life., • if faced with any mental or emotional stress or events, he/she can cope with them, , and recover from them., • does not fear things., , iii). Physical health: Physical health encompasses physical fitness and functioning of the, body. A physically healthy person is able to undertake normal activities, does not feel, unusually fatigued and has adequate resistance to infection and disease., Health Care:, Every individual is responsible for his/her own health, but it is also a major public concern., Health care services are delivered at three levels – primary care, secondary care and tertiary, care levels., i) Primary Health Care: The first level of contact between individuals with the, health care system is known as Primary Health Care., ii) Secondary Health Care: When patients from primary health care are referred, to specialised hospital also like district hospitals, it is called as Secondary Health, Care., iii) Tertiary Health Care: When patients are referred from primary and secondary, health system for specialised intensive care, advanced diagnostic support serious and, medical care, then it is called as Tertiary Health Care., 1

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Indicators of Health:, Health is multidimensional, with each dimension being influenced by several factors., Therefore, several indicators are employed to assess health. These include indicators of, mortality, morbidity (illness/disease), disability rates, nutritional status, health care delivery,, utilisation, environment, health policy, quality of life, etc., , Nutrition and Health:, , , Nutrition and health are intimately interlinked., , , , Good nutrition enables the person to enjoy good health, resist infection, have, adequate energy levels and perform daily tasks without feeling fatigued., , , , Nutrition is a ‘fundamental pillar’ of human life, health and development., , Nutrients:, , , There are more than 50 nutrients in food. Nutrients are broadly classified into, macronutrients (required in relatively larger amounts) and micronutrients, (required in small quantities) based on the amounts required by the human, body., , , , , Macronutrients are generally fat, protein, carbohydrate and fibre., Micronutrients include the minerals such as iron, zinc, selenium and the various, fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins, each of which performs important, functions., Knowledge about nutrients, their metabolism and sources as well as functions are, vital. One should consume a balanced diet which includes foods that will provide all, the necessary nutrients in required amounts., , , , Good Health and Nutrition:, When one is healthy, one is more constructive for oneself and can take active part in, activities at the community level. Optimum nutritional status is important because it:, • maintains body weight provides resistance to infection, • maintains muscle mass, • helps to cope with physical and, • mental stress, • decreases risk of disability, •, , improves productivity, , 2

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Figure: Summarises the benefits of good, education., , nutritional, , status, , for, , children’s, , Good nutrition has positive influence on, , Brain development, , General state of health, , Vision, , Which affects cognitive, development, , Active interaction with the, environment, therefore,, reduce absenteeism and, reduce risk of failure and, dropout, , Reduce risk of, visual impairment, , Memory, , Attention, span, , Concentration, , Figure: Benefits of good nutritional status for children’s education., , Malnutrition:,  Malnutrition is a deviation from the normal state of nutrition. When the intake of nutrients is, less than the amount that is required by the body, or in excess of the requirements, malnutrition, results.,  Malnutrition can take the form of overnutrition or undernutrition. Excess intake of nutrients, results in overnutrition; inadequate intake results in undernutrition., , 3