HEALTH NUTRITION AND SAFETY

1. definition of Health, nutrition & safety

HEALTH- is a state of physical, mental and social well-being in which disease and infirmity are
absent.

NUTRITION- is the study of food and how it works in your body. nutrition is commonly
connected with food or hunger, good nutrition is about much more than having enough food.
Nutrition is about getting the right balance of foods and nutrients -sometimes these nutrients
can be taken as supplements.

SAFETY- is the state of being "safe", the condition of being protected from harm or other non
desirable outcomes. concentrates on protecting young children from hazards and diseases
in child care settings such as in school. Taking the time to plan a hazard-free classroom
environment can go a long way toward minimizing the chance of injuries.

2. Functions of nutrition

We can list the functions of nutrition in the following:

Nutrients That Build and Maintain Body Cells, Nutrients That Regulate Body Functions, Nutrients That
Provide Energy, Metabolism and Energy Production, Bone Structure and Strength, Brain Function and
Cholesterol Balance, Immune Health and Disease Prevention

3. Types of nutrition

Malnutrition results from eating a diet with nutrients which are either not enough for the body and
causes health problems. It involves calories, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins or minerals. These
insufficient nutrients are called undernutrition or undernourishment while too much is called
overnutrition

Good nutrition means your body gets all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs to work its best. 

4. The roles of nutrients

- Nutrients are compounds in foods essential to life and health, providing us with energy, the
building blocks for repair and growth and substances necessary to regulate chemical processes. They are
categorized as proteins, fats, carbohydrates (sugars, dietary fiber), vitamins, and minerals, and perform
the following vital functions: Building all parts of the body such as muscle, bone, teeth, and blood,
Producing energy (power and heat) and Keeping the body in good working order.

5. What is health in ECE?

 - is a state of physical, mental, intellectual, social and emotional well-being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity. Health is a foundational aspect of children’s ability to develop, learn, and
thrive.

6. Why is health is important in ECE

-health is important in early childhood education in order to assess the health in preventing risk
for children, protect and to promote healthy development. To minimizing the risk to health and safety
and well being of the children. Without good nutrition, children run the risk of being stunted in their
growth, which means they are too short for their age and their bodies and brains will never grow to
their full potential.