Health initiatives and nutritional outcomes in United States populations

¶ … nutrition as a method of disease prevention, and several organizational endeavors to educate the public about the benefits of proper nutrition including the national initiative Healthy People 2010. Proper nutrition is a critical aspect of an individual's health and well being. Numerous statistics suggest that proper nutrition can improve the quality of life and life expectancy for people living in modern society. Despite this a lack of adequate information and access to nutritional resources may exist for certain populations. The focus of this research is an exploration of health initiatives and the benefits of proper nutrition for populations throughout the United States.

Proper nutrition is an essential component to one's overall health and well being. Proper nutrition can not only improve one's life expectancy, but can also help eliminate or reduce the risk for disease and lead to an overall improved quality of life. Trends suggest that more and more people living in the United States are falling victim to chronic diseases that may be improved or prevented in part via proper nutrition. This paper will discuss the health benefits of proper nutrition, current statistics and trends as well as the importance of health initiatives geared toward proper nutrition for the general public.

Proper Nutrition

There are many factors that can influence one's access to proper nutrition and education regarding proper nutrition. Studies suggest that poverty is a closely related theme to nutrition, and that many of the elementary aspects of being poor including inadequate health care and unhygienic living conditions may impair an individual's ability to maintain a proper nutrition status (Osmani, 1992). This notion is further supported by national studies of health trends which indicate that individuals living in areas with lower socio-economic status tend to have much poorer nutritional outcomes than those living in better areas (CDC, 2003).

In addition statistics suggest that minorities and people with lower socio-economic status generally have lower access to proper education regarding nutrition and proper access to health care which can exacerbate the problem of poor nutrition and chronic malnutrition (Osmani, 1992; CDC. 2003). Studies suggest that the process of malnutrition often comes to afflict individuals living in communities, a fact evidenced by trends analysis of the nutrition levels of major metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas (CDC, 2003; Osmani, 1992).

There are also an abundance of studies that suggest that aspects of food, eating and nutrition are directly related to social problems (Maurer & Sobal, 1995). Quality of food may be another problematic issue, as well as environmental factors and social qualities that impact the meaning of food for varying cultures (Maurer & Sobal, 1995). Fundamental social problems that need to be addressed including getting enough of the right kinds of food, understanding the role food plays in health and getting the best quality food (Maurer & Sobal, 1995).

A growing number of research studies suggest that most people young and old are not getting enough exercise and proper nutrition; further recent investigations suggest that the negative effects of poor nutrition can be devastating and include increased mortality and a lower quality of life (Akande, Osagie & Wyk, 2000). Evidence of poor nutrition is evident in American classrooms if no where else, where children are more and more turning to fast food as the primary means of nutrition and students are getting less and less physical activity, leading to problems including obesity (Akande et. al, 2000).

There is an increasingly prevalence of morbid diseases throughout the world including ischaemic heart disease, coronary disease, obesity, depression, diabetes and hypertension among other things, all of which can be addressed and possible prevented with better nutrition (Akande et. al, 2000). Research supports the notion that nutrition may even enhance the treatment outcome for patients undergoing severe disorders (Akande et. al, 2000). Proper nutrition can also serve to motivate and have a positive effect on children in the classroom, a trend that tends to follow children into their adult lives.

Proper nutrition is an integral part of ones overall health and well being and contributes to physical fitness and mental well being. Among the important elements of nutrition to discuss include avoiding junk food and avoiding excess weight, as well as reducing the amount of fat in the diet (Akande, et. al., 2000). Research has shown that regardless of ones genetic tendencies proper nutrition and maintenance of a healthy weight can extend ones life expectancy and lower morbidity rates (Akande, et. al, 2000). Reduction in alcohol intake and consumption of proper vitamins and minerals are also an important aspect of nutrition, possibly leading to improved immune functioning and well being (Akande, et. al, 2000).

An adequate supply and balance of macro and micro nutrients is essential to quality of life. Research suggests that more than 34% of Americans are overweight and 53 million or more are obsess due to poor nutrition (Romwell, 1998; CDC, 2003). The trend will likely continue unless education and a commitment to health and proper nutrition are established among populations young and old.

Analysis/Conclusions

Nutritional deficits can present themselves as problems in the home or in the classroom. Children are increasingly suffering from problems such as obesity and poor motivation and energy levels. In the home families tend to grow into obesity together. Poverty and an upbringing in a low socioeconomic environment can also contribute to poor nutrition. Studies suggest that within certain cultures and subcultures, differing attitudes regarding nutrition exist.

Within certain minority populations for example including the African-American population, consumption of deeply fried and higher fatty foods is more socially acceptable and considered normal than in other cultures (Akande, et. al, 2000). Unfortunately also more prevalent within these populations and subcultures are the presence of chronic diseases that might otherwise be prevented, including high blood pressure, cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes (CDC, 2003).

Proper nutrition is an essential factor in ones health and well being. It is important to be aware of the impact proper nutrition can have on one's life expectancy and outcome for the future. Education and proper access to health care are primary components and essential elements of a proper nutritional approach to health and well being. Proper nutrition can be integrated into any subject area, including science. The key is simply identifying the impact food and nutrients have not only at the molecular level but also at the physical level. In order to improve the life expectancy of individual's living throughout the nation researchers and health care providers must start focusing on education and prevention.

For Additional Information on Nutrition and Health the following resources are available:

American Dietetic Association Consumer Nutrition Hotline

216 West Jackson Boulevard

Suite 800

800-366-1655

http://www.eatright.org

American Society for Clinical Nutrition

9650 Rockville Pike

301-530-7110

http://www.ascn.org

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

1101 Wootton Parkway Suite LL 100

240-453-8280

http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

200 Independence Avenue, S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20201

877-696-6775

http://www.hhs.gov/ContactUs.html

References:

Akande, A., Osagie, J.E. & Wyk, D.W. (2000). "Importance of exercise and nutrition in the prevention of illness and the enhancement of health." Education, 120(4):758

CDC. (2003). "Cause of Death Codes, According to Applicable Revision of International

Classification of Diseases." Centers for Disease Control. 12 November, 2004: http://www.cdc.gov.nchs/data/hus/tables/2003/03hustable_v.pdf

CDC. (2003). "Age Adjusted Death Rates, According to Race, Sex, Region and Urbanization Level, United States Annual Average, 1998-2000" Centers for Disease Control. 12, November, 2004: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/tables/2003/03hus033.pdf

CDC. (2003). "Determinants and Measures of Health." Centers for Disease Control. 14,

November 2004: http://www.cdc.gov/nch.products/pubs/pubd/hus/listables.pdf#Determinants

Maurer, D. & Sobal, J. (1995). "Eating Agendas: Food and Nutrition as Social

Problems." New York: Aldine de Gruyter.

Osmani, S.R. (1992). "Nutrition and Poverty." World Institute for Development

Economics Research: Oxford University

Romwell. (1998). "Proper Nutrition." Romwell.com. 12, November, 2004:

http://www.romwell.com/