The importance and elements of healthy nutrition

ABSTRACT

Nutritional compromise and altered eating behaviour are key characteristics of eating disorders. Body image distortion, excessive fear of fatness, restricted dietary intake, binge eating or purging may occur. The physical and psychological features of eating disorders are profound and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Starvation or periods of undernutrition are known consequences of eating disorders, though can also lead to many of the peculiar eating behaviours and physical and psychological changes seen in eating disorders. They starved so that others be better fed: Remembering Ancel keys and the Minnesota experiment. Journal of Nutrition, 135(6), 1347–1352]. Nutrition forms an essential component of treatment and evidence suggests also has a role in prevention of illness onset. This series of papers is designed to provide information on the importance of adequate nutrition and the key nutritional concepts relevant to eating disorders. The first paper in this series provides information on normal, healthy eating, the effects of inadequate nutrition and foods that are important sources of nutrients. The second paper will focus on assessment, refeeding and rehydration and the third will discuss special considerations such as modes of refeeding and nutrition in specific groups. While behavioural management of eating behaviour and therapeutic skill to facilitate nutritional change are important components of eating disorders treatment, they are beyond the scope of this series.

KEYWORDS:

• Eating disorders
• nutrition
• macronutrients
• micronutrients
• healthy eating

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.