ENERGY REQUIREMENTS

A BALANCED DIET

Humans must consume a balanced diet each day. This must contain carbohydrates, proteins, lipids,
vitamins, minerals, water and dietary fiber in the correct proportions to supply the body with enough
energy for daily activities and the correct materials for growth and development and to keep the body in
a healthy state.

A balanced diet should contain a variety of foods selected from each of the six Caribbean Food Groups.
Each group contains food that supply similar nutrients in similar proportions. The size of each sector
indicates the relative amount of each group that should be eaten daily.

ENERGY REQUIREMENTS

The amount of energy required daily from the diet depends on a person’s age, occupation and gender
(sex). In general, daily energy requirements:

 Increase as age increases up to adulthood. They then remain fairly constant up to old age when
less energy is required daily
 Increase as activity increases e.g. a manual labourer requires more energy that a person
working in an office.
 Are higher in males than in females of the same age and occupation.
 Increase in a female when she is pregnant or breastfeeding.

MALNUTRITION

Malnutrition occurs when a person’s diet does not contain the right amount of nutrients.It can result
from eating too little, too much or eating in the wrong proportions.

Malnutrition can be caused by eating diet in which certain nutrients are lacking, known as
undernutrition, leading to marasmus.
Marasmus – is caused by severe shortage of protein and energy rich food such as carbohydrates in the
diet. Its symptoms include low body weight, thin face with sunken eyes, ribs and shoulders clearly visible
through the skin, thin arms and legs with very little muscle and fat, dry skin and brittle hair.

Malnutrition can also result from eating an excess, known as over nutrition. This can result in obesity or
over weight which can lead to diabetes, hypertension and heat disease.

Obesity is characterized by an excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body. It is generally
caused by the excessive consumption of energy rich foods high in sugar and/or fat, especially animal fat,
and a lack of physical activity. Obesity increases a person’s risk of hypertension (high blood pressure),
heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoarthritis and some cancers.

Diabetes – when blood glucose levels are too high and caused by no insulin production (Type I) or too
little insulin production (Type II). Can be controlled by eating a healthy balanced diet that is low in
saturated fats and sugar and high in dietary fiber (fresh fruits and vegetables)
Hypertension – high blood pressure. Caused by improper diet and exercise. Can be controlled by eating
a balanced diet that I slow in saturated fat, cholesterol and salt. Diet should be high in dietary fiber (
fruits and vegetables). Can also be controlled by reduction in smoking and alcohol consumption.

Malnutrition can also be caused by eating nutrients in the wrong proportions.

Kwashiorkor – is caused by severe shortage of protein in the diet. Its symptoms include loss of muscle
mass, failure to grow, oedema (swelling) of the abdomen and legs, changes in skin and hair
pigmentation and fat accumulation in the liver.

VEGETARIANISM

This is a practice of not eating the flesh of any animal eg meat, fish, poultry

Strict vegetarians do not consume any foods of animal origin eg milk, egg, cheese

Diet needs to be properly planned to ensure it is balanced.

If planned properly, there are advantages

1. The diet is low in saturated fats and cholesterol

2. The diet is high in dietary fiber