Question

what are some medical and psychosocial factors that may influence intake, nutritional requirement and nutrition counseling.

Answer 1

MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS THAT MAY INFLUENCE INTAKE AND NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENT:

MEDICAL:

• Dysphagia, illness, cold and flu which may decrease the appetite.
• Chronic diseases such as cancer, Metabolic disorders, kidney disease, gastrointestinal disorders.

PSYCHOLOGICAL :

• Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia etc.
• Depression.
• Schizophrenia.
• Psychosis.

NUTRITIONAL REQUIRMENT :

The nutritional requirement is vastly depends on the patients lifestyle and the above medical and psychological causes, however it also depends on the socio-economic status of the patiens whether they are eating the healthy foods and how much they are eating in a day therefore quality and quantity of the food is very important when it comes to nutritional requirement, Another thing which is very important is how good your gastrointestinal system works and whether your metabolism is high or low. Nutritional requirements also differs according to the age of groups from new borns to the elderly groups.

NUTRITION COUNSELLING:

It is very important for the nutritionist to figure out the cause of the nutritional imbalance in the patient. Below is the list of advise which the nurtitionist should follow:

• The nutritionist should listen to the patient carefully in order to find out if the cause of the nutritional imbalance is medical or psychological.
• The nutritionist should respond in appropriate time.
• The nutritionist should cross question any doubts or clerification.
• Should have positive body language.
• Explain the importance of balance diet.
• Encourage to have meals on time and not to skip it.
• Evaluate patient's diet and plan accordingly,
• If the patient does not like the foods suggest them the alternatives.