Multicultural Resources for Contemporary Diet and Nutrition. Part III

• Religious or ethnic food pattern are strong influence in people diet.  Certain religions fallow rules of consumption of food and drinks.  Many religious people do not eat pork, drink alcohol, and practice fasting (Religion and Dietary Practices , 2013).  Ethnic food pattern can be beneficial for health or luck of nutrition, for example Hispanic food low on calcium, vitamin A, iron, and high in fat (Ethnic Food Patterns, 2011). 

Multicultural Resources for Contemporary Diet and Nutrition. Part II

 

 

Genetically Engineered Food

• The agricultural biotechnology is a breeding techniques or artificial selection, where human decides which trait is desirable, and artificially increases the reproductive success of organisms with this trait (Biotechnology Frequntly Asked Questions, 2013).

Multicultural Resources for Contemporary Diet and Nutrition. Part I

Food Choices

•  Social pressure influence our food choices, like festive, social occasions and family tradition always revolve around food (Social, 2013).  For example, culture and traditions that repeat at specific times, like Thanksgiving and Easter, often encourage us to eat more than we normally would.  Food has been a good way to show friendship and hospitality.  Other factors that influence food choices are psychological factors, which are based on feelings and emotions (Psychological , 2013). 

Healthy Aging Classes

Most people don’t realize that after age 40 the body’s clock is set up to promote decline, decay, and deterioration. Genetically-timed events trigger changes to your metabolism that accelerate the aging process, thereby increasing the risk of cancer, heart disease and many other degenerative diseases. It seems hard to believe that your body would want to set you up for a number of life threatening diseases; but it does.

Aging and Nutrition

As we age, we lose lean body mass and bone density, with this loss we lose body water. Body fat increases with age because we eat too many calories. Digestive secretion diminish and do not absorb nutrients from food as much as before. Vitamins and supplements maybe the only way to replenish deficit of nutrients in the aged bodies. By having a basic idea how many vitamins and minerals body needs will help to keep body healthy and prevent overdosing and malnutrition.

Fitness and Exercise Design

The holistic perspective on health and healing is a complex connection between mind, body, and spirit. An individuals who are using holistic approaches sometimes overlook the benefits of fitness. Some reasons could be lack of time, knowledge, embarrassment, age, mobility. Many trail studies show that physical activity can improve or lead to positive health effects. For example, physical activity is correlated with a reduced probability of developing diabetes and certain forms of cancer, enhance cardio respiratory health, and reduce the risk of depression and cognitive decline. Physical professionals can help you with fitness and exercise assessments and schedules.

Here are some examples of individuals assessment matrix.

Useful Websites

This CDC website is help you on variety of information and different topics, such as healthy brain, preventive services, emergency preparedness, advance care planning for chronic diseases. Also, website includes data and statistics, news and press release.

To find more information on CDC Healthy Aging go here: CDC Healthy Aging

National Institute of Health (NIH) have a good information and tips on healthy aging. Website includes videos, stories, tips, and training tools. In addition, you can search healthy topics from A to Z.

To find more information on NIH go here: Senior Health


National Consul on Aging (NCOA) provides information on public policy, training, community education, and prevention. NCOA website have a good resources on chronic diseases, falls, physical activity, behavior health, and self-management.

To find more information on NCOA go here: Center for Healthy Aging