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I. Reasons to study Nutrition

    

To avoid disease

American diet/activity patterns were estimated to account for 309,000 to 582,000 deaths -- out of a total of 2,148,000 -- in 1990 See: McGinnis JM, Foege WH. Actual causes of death in the United States. JAMA 1993 Nov 10;270(18):2207-2212.

Diseases of deficiency or excess occur. Here are some examples.

1. Direct, because of inappropriate diet selection. E.g.:
   • Scurvy in old men living alone.
   • Obesity in the general population.
2. As a consequence of other conditions. E.g.:
   • Changing physiology in the elderly, resulting in decreased absorption of certain nutrients.
   • Infections in AIDS patients, leading to
     a.  diarrhea -- malabsorption.
     b.  blindness -- decreased accessibility of nutritious foods.

Diabetes, certain cancers (e.g., prostate, colon), cardiovascular disease and hypertension are common conditions with dietary risk factors.