Adult nutrition
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Definition
Nutrition describes the processes by which all of the food a person eats are taken in and the nutrients that the body needs are absorbed. Good nutrition can help prevent disease and promote health.
Vitamins and minerals are an important part of nutrition. Vitamins are organic substances present in food. They are required by the body in small amounts to regulate metabolism and to maintain normal growth and functioning. Minerals are vital because they are the building blocks that make up the muscles, tissues, and bones. They also are important to many life-supporting systems, such as hormones, transport of oxygen, and enzyme systems.
There are many nutrients the body absorbs from food and each of the food groups supplies at least one nutrient. For example, oat bran, which is a whole grain, can supply fiber and a mineral called magnesium. A good nutrition plan will ensure that a balance of food groups, and the nutrients supplied by each group, is eaten.
Percentage of healthy,
overweight, and obese adults in the United States
Age 20>yrs
Healthy weight BMI 18.5 to 24.9
Overweight BMI 25.0–29.9
Obese BMI 30 and above
All Adults 32.9% 34.1% 32.2%
Women 35.4% 28.6% 34.6%
Men 30.4% 39.7% 31.1%
SOURCE: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
