University:
Liberty University
Course:
BIOM 500 | Introduction to Biomedical Sciences
Academic year:

2024
Views:

82

Pages:

6
Author:

Sheha A.

**Factors Affecting Nutritional Needs** * **Development** * **Gender** * **Ethnicity** * **Habits** * **Beliefs** * **Personal preferences** * **Religion** * **Lifestyle** * **Income** * **Medications** * **Health conditions** * **Psychological factors** **Development:** People in special periods of life (e.g. infants, adolescents, pregnant women, and the elderly) have increased needs for nutrients. **Factors Affecting Food Choices** **1. Gender:** * Nutritional requirements and food preferences of males and females can differ. * Hormones can also affect food choices. **2. Emotions:** * Emotions like stress, boredom, or excitement can influence food choices. * People often turn to comfort foods or emotional eating during stress. **3. Beliefs about Food:** * Beliefs about the health benefits of certain foods can influence choices. * Cultural beliefs and traditions can also shape food preferences. * Media, food advertising, and social norms can also influence food choices. **4. Personal Preferences:** * People develop individual preferences for taste, texture, and appearance of food. * Cultural background and upbringing can also influence food preferences. * People who love to visit different places may also develop a taste for different cuisines. * Individuals like pickles, rotis, and chapatis can also be selected as favorite foods. **5. Religious Practices:** * Religious practices and beliefs can also affect food choices. * For example, some religions may restrict the consumption of certain foods or drinks. **7. Lifestyle:** * Lifestyle can also lead to food-related behavioral choices. * People who spend many hours at home may have more time to prepare more meals. * People who eat breakfast tend to make better food choices. * People who eat fast food often have unhealthy diets. **8. Economics:** * What, how much food, how often a person eats is affected by socioeconomic status. * People with limited income may not have access to healthy food and fresh produce. * They may suffer from malnutrition. **9. Medical conditions & therapies:** * The effects of diseases or nutrition needs. * Diseases like diabetes, obesity, heart disease affect appetite, taste, perception, and absorption of nutrients. * Some diseases or conditions may lead to malnutrition.