Question

1. How do cultural, ethnic, and/or religious factors impact a persons’ nutritional status? 2. How will you ensure that any nutritional education and/or resources are culturally/linguistically appropriate for each patient? 3. What additional health problems can occur as the result of malnutrition?

Answer 1

CULTURAL IMPACT

Different cultures may  encourage or frown upon consumption of different foods by individuals who belong to their group.Also the consumption of different food   at different stages of life may be actively encouraged or discouraged.This is due to the benefits and dangers of consuming these foods at certain times of life Forexample many cultures will not approve of consumption of alcohol during pregancy .this is due to adverse effect produced by this drink Similarly ,Some cultures exclude meat and milk from diet because they think they are not suitable for promoting health

ETHNIC INFLUENCE

Another factor affecting the choice and selection of food is ethnicity.This is because people who belong to ethnic group will have been raised and brought up in a certain style manner.This means that factors such their outllook and attitudes towards life and people ,health and even food choices will be greately influenced by their ethnic group. The different values ,which influence nutrition and food choices emanate from the country where each of these ethnic group orginate For example African and Afro caribbean group will usually consume foods ,which contain alot of variety of meat product and a lot of wheat and rice.Eastern and far eastern group consume   foods that contain a lot of variety of herbs and spices.

RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE

With in certain religios group ther are different levels of acculturation ..In some cases this diversity may result from the patients own interpretation of their particular culture. For example,some individuals may be devoutly religious and follow their religion strictly according to the teachings . some religions believe that meat products are not good for consumption.However,people who are not following their religion strictly have more freedom with respect to their choices in the foods they eat .

HOW TO ENSURE HEALTH EDUCATION IS CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY IMPORTANT

- Be aware that how own cultural backgroundand experence and attitudes ,values ,and biases influence nutrition counseling

-Be able to recognize limits of own cultural competencies and abilities.

-Have moved from being culturally aware to being aware and sensitive to own culural heritage and to valuing and respecting differences.

understand food selection,preperationand storage with a cultural context

Have full knowledge of cultural eating patterns and family traditions such as corefoods,traditional celebrations and fasting

HEALTH PROBLEMS OF MALNUTRITION

some populations have a high risk of developing certain types of malnutritiondepending on their environment ,lifestyle and resources

malnutrition can cause

Kwashiorkor, a severe protein deficiency,causes fluid retention and a protruding abdomen.On the other hand,the condition marasmus,which results from severe calorie deficiency,leads to wasting and significant fat and muscle loss.

,weight loss

Vitamin A deficiency cause night blindness and dry eyes

Deficiency of zinc causes Loss of appetite,stunted growth,delayed healing of wounds,hair loss, diarrhea

Iron deficency causes Impaired brain function,issues with regarding body temperature,stomach problems

Iodine deficiency causes Enlarged Thyroid glands(goiters),decreased production of thyroid hormone,growth and development issues.