NUTRITION

TERMINOLOGY

1. Anorexia: Loss of appetite.
2. Dyspepsia: Indigestion. A feeling of fullness, discomfort, nausea and anorexia.
3. Dysphagia: Difficulty in swallowing.
4. Food: Any substance which can be used by the body for its growth, development and repair.
5. Nausea: A sensation of sickness with inclination to vomit.
6. Nutrients: Constituents of food.eg., carbohydrate, protein, fat, minerals, vitamins, water.
7. Regurgitation: Back flow. eg., back flow of partly digested food into the mouth from the stomach.
8. Vomiting: Expulsion of stomach contents via the oesophagus and the mouth.

FACTORS AFFECTING APPETITE

The appetite is increased by:

• Sight and smell of food (attractive serving).
• Food preference (likes and dislikes if the individual).
• Physical and mental relaxation (freedom from hurry, worry, pain, stress and fatigue).
• Regularity in eating (spacing of meals).
• Pleasant environment (attractive and cheerful atmosphere).
• Exercise.

The appetite is decreased by:

• Physical and mental fatigue.
• Hurry, worry and fear.
• Unpleasant environment and experiences.
• Lack of exercises.
• Irregular meals.
• Long spacing of meals timings.