1. Human Nutrition
1992 Official food guide pyramid. May undergo revision, separating out different types of fats and carbs.
Calories - amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a gram of water 1 degree C. It is such a tiny amount that we scale up using kilocalories (kcal). Calories are used to generate ATP and 60% are lost as heat to the environment during life’s activities.

2. Metabolic Rate - the rate of energy consumption by the body = BMR + additional energy consumption above BMR)
Basal metabolic rate (BMR) = amount of energy just to maintain basic body functions
Human BMR = 1300 to 1800 kcal/day. See p. 495 on how to figure your caloric balance.
Food labels (see left) -FDA requires lists of ingredients in order from greatest amount to least, by weight. Also lists key nutrition fats: serving size, Calories, fat, cholesterol, carbs, fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals.

3. Essential nutrients-substances which cannot be made from any other materials - the body needs to receive them in preassembled form.
Ex: 8 Essential Amino Acids - (see left). 12/20 can be made from other compounds. 8/20 must be obtained from the diet. (Infants require a ninth, histidine.)
Meat, eggs and milk are “complete.” Plants are “incomplete.” Eat a variety of plants.
Ex: grain + legumes ; Beans + corn tortillas; peanut butter + bread. Rice + tofu.
Vitamins, Minerals, & Essential Fatty Acids - read text p

4. Nutritional Disorders
Malnutrition -a deficiency of one or more of the essential nutrients.
Cause: Inadequate intake or medical problems. Most = protein deficiency. Victims likely to be retarded in mental and physical development.
Ex: Kwashiorkor - (see left) inadequate protein intake. Deficiency in blood proteins causes swelling of the belly and limbs.
Undernutrition - body breaks down its own molecules, muscles, brain proteins.
Obesity - inappropriately high ratio of weight to height. 1/4 of Americans
Fat cravings - cheeseburgers, chips, fries, ice cream, candy. A selection advantage in our evolutionary history when starvation and famines were a danger??

5. Eating Disorders - a common cause of undernourishment.
3% of U.S. females develop anorexia or bulimia at some time in their lives.
Anorexia - self-starvation due to intense fear of gaining weight, even when person is underweight.
Bulimia - behavioral pattern of binge eating followed by purging through induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, or fasting.
Both - obsession with body weight and shape. In industrialized countries.
Cause -unknown, genes, psychology, brain chemistry, culture.
Pop culture & media?
Treatment - counseling, medication. Some resume healthy eating habits; some have a long-term problem, impairs health, can cause death.