Nutrition and Illness Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Nutrition and Illness - Research Paper Example The changes in dietary patterns in the population, increase in the use of tobacco and reduced engagement in physical activities have contributed to chronic illnesses, which are related to poor dietary habits. This paper gives a critical analysis on the nutrition practices of the world populations in relation to their contribution to the prevalence of chronic illnesses in addition to the implications on the nursing practice. Statement of purpose The chronic illnesses, which result from poor dietary habits, include obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and some types of cancer, stroke, and hypertension. These illnesses are caused by the changes in dietary life styles in the population and thus leading to disability. Death would also result from these conditions when they become worse. These illnesses affect negatively on the economy because of the high health budget due the loss of human resources (Daniel et al, 2011). Scientific evidence demonstrates that nutrition plays a major role in occurrence of chronic illnesses (Sticher, Smith & Davidson, 2010). Moreover, the alteration of a persons’ diet and changes in the physical activity plays a significant role in determining whether the individual will develop the illness later in life. However, it is notable that even though research on the relationship between diet and illnesses shows a contribution to chronic illnesses, policies and practices have not be en changed to ensure a healthy society. In the developing economies, the food policies are focused on preventing under nutrition but the focus on the chronic illnesses, which are caused by poor health, is neglected. Review of the Literature The energy balance equation determines the weight of an individual. The rate at which the body spends energy determines the health of that person (Burns, Gross & Zanin, 2010). When there is more consumption of calories and fats the chances of one becoming obese increases. The possibility of being obese is facilitated by food consumption, which is not proportionate to the energy breakdown. This is what leads to energy imbalance in the body, which is the basis for chronic obesity. The lifestyles of people have been changed by civilization and urbanization. There is reduced physical activity in urban areas as compared to the rural communities in the developing nations. The energy expenditure by the body is reduced drastically in a sedentary lifestyl e. The work environment in urban centers for example makes an individual confined to the work desk. Moreover, competition among businesses has led to long working hours, which does not allow people, time to engage in physical exercise. The prevalence of obesity is greater in developed countries as compared to the developing economies. In addition, urban centers have more obese people in comparison to the rural environments. This is a result to the differences in lifestyles. In developing countries and rural communities, the lifestyles of individuals promote physical activities, which encourage consumption of energy by the body. There has been a global epidemic of obesity and overweight because of the modern lifestyles which advance storage of fat in the body. Reduced physical activity is demonstrated by the fact that people drive to work. This promotes conversion of nutrients into fat for storage. Reduced physical activities eventually lead to accumulation of fat in the body that ca uses obesity and overw