Poor diet and nutrition are recognised as major contributory risk factors for ill-health and premature death.
The quality of what we put in our bodies has a direct link to the quality of our health. A well balanced diet can make an individual feel better physically and mentally.
The Government recommends an intake of at least five portions of fruit or vegetables per person per day to help reduce the risk of some cancers, heart disease and many other chronic conditions. This is a minimum.
Certain foods contain cancer fighting properties and they are the brightly coloured fruits and vegetables.
Malnutrition is a serious condition that happens when your diet does not contain the right amount of nutrients.
It means “poor nutrition” and can refer to:
Undernutrition:
Not getting enough nutrients
Overnutrition:
Getting more nutrients than needed
Common signs of undernutrition include:
- unintentional weight loss – losing 5% to 10% or more of weight over 3 to 6 months is one of the main signs of malnutrition
- a low body weight – people with a body mass index (BMI) under 18.5 are at risk of being malnourished (use the BMI calculator to work out your BMI)
- a lack of interest in eating and drinking
- feeling tired all the time
- feeling weak
- getting ill often and taking a long time to recover
- in children, not growing or not putting on weight at the expected rate
Poor diet and physical inactivity are major contributors to obesity.
There are serious health and economic consequences associated with obesity.
In 2019 64.3% of adults in England were classified as overweight or obese (a body mass index of 25 or above). Since 1993 the proportion of adults in England who are overweight or obese has risen from 52.9% to 64.3%, and the proportion who are obese has risen from 14.9% to 28.0%.
(Commons Library Research Briefing, 16 March 2022)
Signs of dehydration
You lose water through urination, respiration, and by sweating. If you are very active you lose more water than if you are sedentary.
Diuretics such as caffeine, medication and alcohol result in the body producing increased amounts of urine and not absorbing water properly.
Any diuretic substance can result in dehydration.
Symptoms of mild dehydration include:
- Chronic pains in joints and muscles
- Lower back pain
- Headaches
- Constipation
In addition, urine may have a strong odour, along with a yellow or amber colour. This indicates that a person may not be getting enough water. Alternatively, the colour of urine could be determined by vitamins an individual is taking and not necessarily because they are dehydrated. Riboflavin, a B vitamin, will make your urine bright yellow. Thirst is an obvious sign of dehydration, in fact, you need water long before you feel thirsty.
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