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Fundamentals
of Nutrition
Series Entitled: "Nutrition Pathways"
Reduce the fat", "increase carbohydrates",
"drink eight glasses of water a day."
Everywhere we look - TV, magazines, newspapers -
it seems as though we are surrounded by conflicting
and confusing information about what we should or
should not be eating or how we should be exercising.
NUTRITION PATHWAYS examines nutrition and
how it impacts people in their every day lives through
profiles of real-life people.
How can we separate fact from fiction when it comes
to nutrition? How much can we believe about nutrition
and its impact on health, disease, lifestyle, and
longevity? In fact, how can we believe anything
we see or hear about nutrition without feeling as
if we are in a constant state of confusion? These
issues and many more are explored in the telecourse
- NUTRITION PATHWAYS.
This course is designed for two audiences: one includes
those college students enrolled in health programs
who have an introduction to nutrition course requirement;
the second includes students who wish to learn more
about nutrition and how to apply the knowledge to
their own lives and the lives of their families.
Not only will NUTRITION PATHWAYS address
the basic chemical and scientific aspects of nutrition,
it will provide practical information as well.
PROGRAM
DESCRIPTIONS
1) Nutrition Basics
Why do people choose the foods that they eat? This
program examines through profiles of individuals
how religion, tradition, and even emotions can effect
food choices. Why and how have we gotten to be where
we are? Historical and even societal influences
in the U.S. are examined in this program starting
with the industrial revolution. Using the food Guide
Pyramid we then learn what it really means in terms
of serving sizes, protein, carbohydrates, fats,
vitamins, and mineral content.
2) The Digestive System
In a wonderful illustration this program compares
digestion to a football game, the object is to get
the ball (which is the food) from one end of the
field (to the GI tract) to the opposite end of the
field (to complete the process, elimination). Understanding
this process when functioning correctly then allows
the viewer to explore the various problems associated
with digestion. Staged scenarios help illustrate
choking, gas/bloating, heartburn, nausea, ulcers,
and constipation. Throughout each situation an expert
helps guide the viewer through the problem associated
with digestion.
3) Carbohydrates: Simple and Complex
For years we heard that sugar can cause Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This program profiles
a family, attending a local fair, who have children
diagnosed with ADHD, the object is to dispel the
myth that sugar causes ADHD. Any athlete knows how
important it is to eat properly, a high complex
carbohydrate diet can provide addition energy necessary
for any sport. In interviews with a college tennis
player and his family we learn how through diet
and family support a restricted diet can be maintained.
Whenever an individual takes in large amount of
carbohydrates, simple or complex, a process takes
place to regulate the blood glucose. Through animation
we learn how these process works.
4) Carbohydrates: Fiber
What is fiber? How is fiber classified? In two interviews,
one with an agricultural expert and the other with
a manager of a bakery, we learn the differences
in the many available fibers. Is it advantageous
to incorporate fiber into the diet? This program
examines the health effects of fiber through a profile
of a woman with high blood cholesterol and what,
if any, changes have been made in her cholesterol
through high fiber intake. In an interview with
a gastroenterologist and a patient with Crohn's
disease we also learn the effects of high fiber
on colon health. Can fiber help? Find out how fiber
became an important part of a woman's diet who had
colon polyps and colon cancer.
5) Fats: The Lipid Family
Nowadays you can hardly talk about your visit to
the doctor without someone asking you what your
cholesterol level was? What's the difference between
good fat levels and bad? This segment explains what
lipids are and their function. Through two diverse
profiles we learn about the need to distinguish
personal intake of fats. In the first profile a
group of hikers use high fat foods because they
are calorie dense, easy to pack for hiking and provide
abundant fuel for a long term exercise. In the second
profile a man with high blood cholesterol explains
the composition and function of the lipoproteins
found in the blood and how cholesterol becomes a
risk for CVD. Lastly what are these new fat substitutes?
In a brief look at Simplesse and Olestra the viewer
learns potential uses for cooking with fat substitutes.
6) Fats: Health Effects
What are the effects of fat intake? This program
profiles two families, one is a Greek family whose
diet is divided between parents and children. The
parents food intake was one of typical Greek island
fare compared to that of their children who maintained
a diet similar to the standard American diet. Is
there and what are the risks for heart disease for
both diets. The second family profiled is a cattle
ranching family who eats a diet high in saturated
fat, considered the standard American diet, this
like the children of the Greek family is examined
for heart disease. Lastly, in a wonderful cartoon
animation, an illustration on how high fat foods
can be substituted with lower fat foods is given
offering the viewer alternatives to eating.
7) Protein: Form and Function
What effect does protein have on an athlete? In
the first profile of this program we learn how a
"natural" bodybuilder counter intuitively
does not consume large amounts of protein to gain
strength in training. In the second profile we learn
in a visit with a weight training class in a college
physical education course what these students know
and understand about protein intake. Throughout
the world there are many differing geological areas
of protein-energy malnutrition, even here in the
US. What programs help deal with this problem here
is the US.?
8) Protein Continuum
Are there different concerns for a vegan, a semi-vegetarian,
or a meat eater for how they might obtain adequate
protein from their food choices? Absolutely, this
program focuses on these three styles of eating
and how each of these individuals include protein
in their diet. Answers to such questions as: How
does a vegetarian get enough protein? If you do
eat meat is there concerns for including additional
protein in their diet?
9) Metabolism
To fast or to feast, are either very good for you?
What are the effects of both on the body? In the
program METABOLISM, profiles of both fasting and
feasting are featured. The first interview is with
a college football player who eats more than his
body can use. Learn what the consequences of eating
more food than the body can use. Often people also
exhibit the opposite behavior and fast for long
periods at a time. In the second interview we learn
the effects of fasting on the body. Lastly, a demonstration
on how alcohol affects the body's metabolism by
interviewing a recovering alcoholic.
10) Weight Control: Energy Regulation
Factors that effect food intake are hunger, appetite
and environmental influences. These are the influences
that effect food intake but there are quite a few
more that effect what we may actually end up taking
in: ethnic background, body image, influences by
the media, as well as personal self-image. In this
program we first learn from one individual the trial
and tribulations of a weight loss program, and what
they have learned from their continued efforts.
As a follow-up to this discussion a panel group
of three college students of differing ethnic backgrounds
talk about the many variables beyond hunger and
appetite that can effect weight control.
11)
Weight Control: Treatment and Health Effects
This is the age of "Diet Madness." This
program profiles a man with a typical "apple"
shape, and answers such questions as what are the
health effect of carrying excess weight in the mid-section.
We learn along with this individual what nutritional
and lifestyle changes must be made to improve his
health risks. Weight Control: Treatment and Health
Effects profile three individuals that look at good
and poor treatments for weight loss. The first is
a woman who has yo-yo dieted many times, the second
is a woman who has undergone a gastric by-pass surgical
procedure to lose weight and lastly we learn from
a mother and daughter who have both suffered from
eating disorders.
12) Vitamins: Water Soluble
Vitamin C is a daily supplement for many Americans
today, some individuals consume large quantities
daily. One woman whose dentist recommended she begin
taking vitamin C to prevent bleeding gums now claims
that it ensures her good health and that of her
families. Is vitamin C a necessity? Upon examination
of the modern Navy, in comparison to earlier days
when Scurvy claimed the lives of many sailors, does
vitamin C and other water soluble vitamins that
are preserved on board ship during current times
prevent illness? Many individuals also use vitamin
C as a "folk medicine" as well as for
the antioxidant effects. Lastly we learn from a
chef how he prepares and handles foods in order
to preserve the vitamin content.
13) Vitamins: Fat Soluble
This program examines the pros and cons of vitamin
and mineral supplementation through a profile of
a wife and husband who takes many different supplements
for health reason. We also learn how one person
takes vitamin E and beta carotene as an antioxidant
to protect themselves against the effects of extreme
exercise. Lastly we talk with an individual who
sells vitamins and minerals to the public.
14) Major Minerals and Water
What happens when a person dehydrates? This program
takes a look at the importance of major minerals
and water. The first segment includes a diagnosis
and treatment of dehydration in a small child. The
second segment provides a brief look at the importance
of sodium in the diet. The last segment is a profile
of a person with osteoporosis. What is osteoporosis,
how does it develop, what are the symptoms and how
can it be treated? These questions in addition to
nutritional impact on osteoporosis are addressed.
15) Trace Minerals
One of the most prominent minor mineral is Iron.
This program focuses on the WIC program and how
women, infants, and children are insured of getting
enough iron and explain what iron deficiency anemia
is. How much does the average person know about
iron? In several interviews with high school students,
we learn how much they know about iron deficiency,
the foods that are high in iron, and symptoms of
iron deficiency. As we get older and older the amount
of iron intake is fully considered by services such
as meals on wheels. Unfortunately there is a world-wide
iodine deficiency, this program shows how iodized
salt is the answer to iodine related problems.
16) Physical Activity: Fitness Basics
When someone talks about fitness basics there are
a variety of methods to the basics. This program
profiles four individuals who each have a unique
and varied approach to fitness basics. The first
profiles is a student who is enrolled in a college
PE class which allow him to participate in a self
paced fashion, attending different classes for credit.
The second is a profile of an individual who is
employed in a corporation that has fitness facilities
and encourages employees to workout before, during,
and after work for fitness and productivity. Thirdly
we have an opportunity to hear how one person who
during their lunch hour walks around the building,
block or even in the mall. Lastly we meet a person
who is at home taking care of the family and exercises
by video tapes, walking the neighborhood, doing
sit-ups and pushups in order to be more fit. All
of these individuals also share what diet they maintain
to compliment the physical activity they have chosen.
17) Physical Activity: Beyond Fitness
In this program, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: BEYOND FITNESS
BASICS, we have an opportunity to see how an Olympic
hopeful who is training for the US Olympic diving
team and how this hopeful considers very carefully
training and nutrition needs for their regiment.
A marathoner is also profiled allowing the viewer
to see the strict schedule of training, and eating
necessary for this individual to make their goal
for competition. Last is a profile of a paraplegic
who was a black belt in karate before an accident
left her paralyzed. This segment examines her new
lifestyle and nutrition needs for an active lifestyle
in a wheelchair.
18) Life Cycle: Pregnancy
How does pregnancy, before, during and after effect
a woman's nutrient needs? This program focuses on
the dietary needs of a woman during pregnancy taking
into consideration various lifestyles. Are there
different needs for a teen than for an athlete?
Profiling a pregnant teenager through her term this
program provides a special opportunity to examine
the special nutrient needs and risks/stresses which
are associated with being a pregnant teen. Exercise
is always a question during pregnancy how much is
appropriate? We learn by following an athletic,
physically fit woman, who is pregnant, how she fills
her special needs for her and the fetus throughout
her day
19) Life Cycle: Lactation and Infancy
One of the many decisions that any pregnant woman
must make is to choose between bottle or breast
feeding their newborn. This program follows two
woman who have varied lifestyles and their choice
to either bottle or breast feed. The first profile
is one of a working woman who has chosen to bottle
feed and the advantages and disadvantages of this
choice. The second is a woman at home who has chosen
to breast feed, sharing the advantages and disadvantages
of this choice. Following these two profiles is
an outline of what foods and at what time is best
to introduce what types of foods to an infant.
20) Life Cycle: Childhood and Adolescence
What are the influences that impact the food choices
that children make? Throughout adolescence there
are a variety of factors those impact food choices:
social, emotional and cultural. This program follows
an overweight adolescent through the Shape Down
program and examines how support from family can
influence nutrition and lifestyle choice. We also
have the opportunity to see how one family work
to positively influence their children as they make
food choices.
21) Life Cycle: Adulthood and Aging
How does lifestyle and nutrition effect an individual
as they mature? The lifestyle in culmination with
a dietary style can make a difference in one's life,
affecting one positively or negatively. This program
follows three scenarios that provide the viewer
with a clear understanding on the effects of choice
for nutrition on an individual. The first profile
is one of a couple in their 30's who have chosen
to live in a more natural environment, living and
active lifestyle whilst being careful of the types
of foods they eat. The second is a wonderful profile
of a 70 year old woman who participates actively
in a traveling dance group. The third profile is
one of a 90 year old couple who discusses how nutrition
and lifestyle has positively affected them as they
age.
22) Diet and Health: Cardiovascular Disease
Do the choices in diet determine our health? Many
times we effect our health in our choices of lifestyle,
and nutrition. This program follows three individuals
who have been adversely affected by diet and lifestyle.
Learn from a middle-aged woman who had a heart attack
and surgery in her 40's how in reviewing her lifestyle
including career, smoking, alcohol, and nutrition
may have affected her health. Does hypertension
have an impact on lifestyle and nutrition? In the
second profile an individual with high blood shares
how their lifestyle and nutrition needs have changes
since diagnosed with hypertension.
23)
Diet and Health: Cancer, Immunology, and AIDS
When an individual is diagnosed with cancer or even
AIDS, almost every doctor will provide an outline
to their patient that describes what anti promote
the disease. This program helps us understand what
cancer is and how through diet an individual can
make a difference in the development as well as
what the treatment of that cancer may be. Understanding
that diet can effect the immune system that each
individual has we then have the opportunity per
se how diet and the immune system, can effect the
quality of life for AIDS/HIV patients.
24) Diet and Health: Diabetes
There are two types of diabetes, type I: which generally
is detected as an adolescence, and type II: which
is detected later in life, many times in the 30's.
This segment examines the lifestyle and nutritional
needs of both a type I diabetic as well as a type
II. This program also looks at two individuals with
type II diabetes and the treatment choice both of
these have made: conventional versus unconventional.
25) Consumer Concerns and Food Safety
The sales of bottled water are on the rise in addition
to organic farming. Nowadays when shopping in the
local grocery store you can easily find organically
grown tomatoes, oranges, apples, consumer concerns
for the use of pesticides have grown markedly in
the last few years. Are these concerns legitimate?
This program explains how environmental contaminants
find their way into the food and water supply. By
providing examples of pesticides along with their
uses in addition to defining water sources both
under ground and above, one will learn how personal
lifestyle and nutrition choices will affect the
local and global community.
26)
Applied Nutrition
Throughout all 26 lessons we have had an opportunity
to become familiar with three pathways individuals.
They have made a variety of positive personal changes
in their lifestyles, incorporating the knowledge
gained through this nutrition telecourse. Learn
what the steps involved for each individual and
how they each have incorporated these new changes
into their lives. A wonderful closing to a course
that separates fact from fiction when it comes to
nutrition.
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