Balanced Diet and Nutritional Disorders
Start with the big picture
The topic covers macronutrients, micronutrients, water, and how their balance supports health. It introduces adult energy distribution and protein needs, essential amino and fatty acids, and the role of dietary fiber. It also examines anthropometric assessment using BMI and the health conditions associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Nutritional disorders are linked to their causes and characteristic findings: marasmus and kwashiorkor, iron- and iodine-deficiency disorders, and deficiencies or excesses involving vitamins A, D, C, folate, and B₁₂. These connections help frame nutrition as both a matter of dietary adequacy and a clinical concern. The broader lesson also addresses dietary assessment methods and public health strategies.
What you'll learn
- Describe the components of a balanced diet and adult energy distribution.
- Identify essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, and their deficiency effects.
- Relate BMI and metabolic syndrome features to nutritional health.
- Distinguish marasmus from kwashiorkor by their key characteristics.
- Associate selected nutrient deficiencies or excesses with clinical disorders.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
