Food Related

Problems
Food problems have been the concern of people
even in the past. War, crop failure has led to
famine and starvation in some countries of the
world. Today, global warming has affected the
production of crops but the actual food-related
problems are results of poor or improper eating
habits.
Under Nutrition
An undernutrition person does not mean that he is also
underweight. Weight is not an indication of poor
nourishment. Undernutrition means that the individual is
not getting enough nutrients. There are many causes of
undernourishment including quality of food intake,
cultural and religious beliefs, and psychological factors.
Stress, type of food, manner of food intake and noise can
affect proper digestion.
Anorexia Nervosa
Is a food-related problem characterized by
fear of becoming fat. An anorexic person
is actually hungry but inflicts self-
starvation. Untreated anorexia is fatal
duet to poor body nourishment.
Bulimia Nervosa
Is characterized by binge eating. Because
of guilt feeling after the binge, she
frequently indulges in purging, self-
induced vomiting; abuse the use of
laxatives and periods of fasting.
Overweight and Obesity
Obesity is common among children and youth. It is
influenced by individual’s physical, social and
emotional environment. More often than not the
condition is due to lack of exercise, overeating, poor
eating habits and emotional problems. Inactive
lifestyle greatly contributes to obesity and
overweight.
Deficiency
Diseases
Deficiency Common Disease(s) Rich Food Sources
Vitamin A Night Blindness, xerosis Liver, butter, hydrogenated
conjuctiva, xerosis cornea, oil, animal meat, egg, cow’s
keratomalacia milk
Vitamin D Rickets, osteomalacia Fish, milk, egg yolk, butter,
cod liver oil, shrimp,
mackerel, corn oil
Vitamin E Reproductive failure, liver Vegetable oil, nuts, wheat
necrosis germ oil, rice bran oil
Vitamin K Hemorrhagic conditions Dark green leafy vegetables,
fruits, tubers, seeds and dairy
and meat products.
Deficiency Common Disease(s) Rich Food Sources
Vitamin C Scurvy Citrus, red and green hot chili
pepper, guava, thyme and
parsley, dark leafy green
vegetable, kiwi, papaya,
strawberries.
Vitamin B1 Beriberi Meat, poultry, fish, whole
(Thiamine) grain, peas and other
legumes
Vitamin B2 Angular Stomatitis, stunted Animal and plant foods, milk,
(Riblofavin) growth enrich cereals
Vitamin B3 Pellagra (diarrhea, dermatitis, Rice/Wheat bran, fish, liver,
(Niacin) and dementia) peanut, veal, sundried
tomatoes
 Deficiency Common Disease(s)
Vitamin B6 Anemia, sleep disturbances,
(Pyridoxine) angular stomatitis, mental
symptoms of irritability,
weakness, drowsiness,
depression and poor appetite
Vitamin B12 Anemia, Inflammation of the
(Folacin, Biotin) tongue, numbness and tingling of
fingers
Pantothenic Acid Nausea, vomiting, tremor of the
outstretched hands, irritability
and burning feet syndrome
Rich Food Sources
Chicken, turkey, beef, and pork, fish
(cod, salmon), Bell peppers, spinach,
baked potatoes (skin included), green
peas, yams, broccoli, asparagus and
turnip greens, nuts, seeds, bran,
beans, legumes
Beans, legumes, dark leafy vegetables,
fortified cereals and breads, citrus,
fruit juices, liver
Caviar, Liver, shiitake mushroom, cold
water fish, avocado, egg yolk, baker’s
yeast, sunflower seeds.
Food Related
Issues
Food Quackery
Is not only confined in diet books or clinics that make use
of uncertain methods. The “natural health foods” industry
(Anspaugh, 2001) is considered quackery by many
nutritional experts. Labelling products as “health foods”
may be deceiving. There is no best source of food
nutrients than natural foods. Food sold in market such as
dried fruits, pollen and others with “health food”
Food Quackery
Labels claim that they are healthier than any other
food. Similarly, they also claim that non-organic
foods have pesticides that are harmful to one’s
health.
Fad Diets
Overweight and obese children adults are often
victims of fad diets. Those who want to lose weight
quickly. Some of the common and favorite diets
include Low-calorie diets, Low-carbohydrate diet,
over-the-counter aids such as mild stimulants and
crash diets.
Food Labelling
It is mandated by law that manufacturers use
nutritional labelling when they add nutrients to
packaged food. The label must provide information
such as nutritional information based on serving of
the food product. The illustration on the right will
give you an idea on food labels.