NUTRITION
AND
INFECTION
DR SANNI, TAOFEEK ADEDAYO
(M.B.Ch.B, MPH, FWACP(COMM. H), FMCPH, Ph.D. )
CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST / CONSULTANT PHYSICIAN
(COMMUNITY MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH)
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE
FEDERAL TEACHING HOSP., IDO-EKITI.
AND
SENIOR LECTURER
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE
Introduction and
Definitions
Nutrition is a fundamental pillar of human’s
health and development across the entire life
cycle. Proper and well balanced nutrition
throughout the life cycle is very important in
maintaining a healthy status. Nutrition is the
intake of food to meet the body’s dietary need
through different sources in order to enhance
good nutritional status.
Introduction and
Definitions
Nutritional status is a balance between the
intake of nutrients by an organism and the
expenditure of these in the process of growth,
reproduction and health maintenance.
Therefore, individuals who are well-nourished
with balanced diets are more likely to be
healthy, productive and able to learn.
Introduction and
Definitions
Imbalance in feeding and nutrition lead to
malnutrition; a pathological condition which
can be broadly classified as:
Under-nutrition from inadequate consumption
of energy giving food and
Over-nutrition from excess intake of energy
giving foods and other nutrients essential for
survival, growth, reproduction and capacity to
learn and function in society.
Introduction and
Definitions
Infection is the invasion and multiplication of
microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and
parasites that are not normally present within
the body.
In some cases the infection may cause no
symptoms and be subclinical while in other
cases there may be symptoms and disease
becomes clinically apparent. An infection may
remain localized, or it may spread through the
blood or lymphatic vessels to other body
systems.
Introduction and
Definitions
Microorganisms that live naturally in the body
are not considered infections. For example,
bacteria that normally live within the mouth
and intestine are not infections.
Interaction between
Nutrition and
Infection
Malnutrition can make an individual more
susceptible to infection, and on the other hand
infection also contributes to malnutrition. This
relationship runs in a vicious cycle.
Interaction between
Nutrition and
Infection
An inadequate dietary intake (Under-nutrition)
leads to:
Weight loss
Lowered immunity
Recurrent Infection
Mucosal damage
Invasion of the body by pathogens
Impaired growth and development in children
Low productivity
Inability to pay for hospital bills and access early
treatment
Worsening disease and health status
Interaction between
Nutrition and
Infection
Excess intake (Over-nutrition) can be a
curse of
Diabetes
Hypertension
Cardiovascular diseases
Renal diseases
Malignancies
Liver and gall bladder disorders
Low self-esteem
Low productivity
Reduced life expectancy
Interaction between
Nutrition and
Infection
Infection can also lead to
Diarrhea
Mal-absorption
Loss of appetite
Reduce nutrient intake
Diversion of nutrients for the immune
response
Urinary nitrogen loss
Malnutrition
Interaction between
Nutrition and
Infection
All of these will lead to nutrient losses, further
damage to defense mechanisms, reduced
dietary intake, increases both energy and
micronutrient requirements and malnutrition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a vicious cycle exists between
nutrition and infection. Thereby, if we want to
win the war against infections, we must take
human nutrition very important. Also, if we are
to win the war against malnutrition, all efforts
must be made to reduce infection.
Conclusion
