1.1. Adequate and Balanced Nutrition
There are nutritional styles specific to each society and are affected by the geographical conditions, the society's economy and socio-cultural situations. As a result of these situations, the importance of local dishes specific to that region has begun to increase (Arslan et al., 2015). One of the most basic needs of the individual is nutrition, and if it is met in the best way, nutrition appears as a confidence-building factor in the implementation of the person's other needs (Erten, 2006).
Nutrition; It is the intake of nutrients necessary for sustaining life, maintaining health and growth. For an individual to be healthy, energy and nutrients must be consumed in an adequate and balanced manner. It has been shown that when any of these nutrients are not taken or taken insufficiently, health deteriorates and growth and development slow down or stop (Baysal, 2007). It is the intake and use of the necessary nutrients in the body in the appropriate amount and in the most economical way, without losing or deteriorating their nutritional value, to carry out body functions and maintain growth and development in the best way, thanks to adequate and balanced nutrition (Açıkgöz, 2006). An individual's nutritional needs vary depending on age, gender, genetic structure, physical activity status and existing diseases. The amount of nutrients and the amount of energy increase compared to normal during adolescence (Saygın et al., 2011).
An individual should be fed adequately and balanced to live a physically and psychologically healthy life in every period of life (Kadıoğlu et al., 2015; Sakamaki et al., 2005). Bilici (2008) listed the primary conditions for a healthy diet as consuming sufficient amounts of food, having a wide variety, eating balanced meals, having high subjective quality, having high nutritional values, being economical and having high hygiene conditions. With adequate and balanced nutrition, which is seen as the basis of a healthy life, it is aimed for people to be healthy throughout their lives, to improve their health and to live a quality life. By improving the individual's environmental conditions, it is possible to prevent nutritional problems that disrupt the standard of living and diseases that can be caused by unhealthy nutrition, such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, iron-iodine-protein deficiencies, rickets, dental caries and ultimately obesity. In addition, by making it easier to access and consume healthy foods, nutrition education should be given to the whole society and awareness should be raised (Vettrorri et al., 2019).
Yılmaz and Özkan (2007) stated that gaining adequate and balanced nutrition habits enables individuals to be healthy in the geriatric age group. Therefore, he suggested raising public awareness by giving seminars and training on adequate and balanced nutrition. Demirci (2003) stated that the benefits of healthy nutrition for the human body are the subject of many scientific studies. Adequate and balanced nutrition appears as an important condition that enables individuals to maintain their health, increases body resistance against diseases, improves physical and psychological health, gives energy and increases their success. It is one of the most important conditions for a healthy and successful life. If a person has a balanced and adequate diet, they will have an active life and a healthy appearance. All body structures such as vision, skin structure, muscle strength and hair are active and healthy. Their height is proportional to their body weight and they always have a vigorous and sporty appearance. At the same time, they are individuals who have developed mentally and psychologically ( Ülker, 2016 ).
For adequate and balanced nutrition; Milk and dairy products, proteins such as meat, eggs and legumes, vegetables and fruits, and grain group products should be consumed in sufficient quantities at every meal. Food diversity should be ensured during nutrition and the same products should not be consumed for a long time. When starting the day, you should have breakfast and not skip meals. Salt and sugar production should not be taken more than necessary. Among grain products, care should be taken to consume whole grain products. Water consumption should be at least 2.5 litres per day (T.R. Ministry of Health, 2013). An individual's lifestyle is an important factor in the emergence of problems such as chronic kidney diseases, heart diseases and respiratory diseases (Ricardo et al., 2015; Menotti et al., 2015). Many chronic diseases will be prevented with a balanced and healthy diet, however, nutrition-related lifestyle variables that increase risk factors should be learned and implemented by the general population. It is possible to protect and sustain the health of the individual with a correct eating habit (Leiva et al., 2015; Beydağ, 2014; Sotos-Prieto et al., 2015).
1.2. Disadvantages of Inadequate and Unbalanced Nutritio
Tayar and Korkmaz (2007) stated that it is necessary to have an adequate and balanced diet because if the individual is inadequately and unbalancedly fed, it will cause problems in growth and development and the body's inability to perform its functions properly. Inadequate and unbalanced nutrition can cause problems in the growth, development and routine functions of the individual. Since their bodies are less resistant to microbes, these people become more susceptible to illnesses and disease processes last longer than normal. Any food consumed in inadequate amounts can cause deterioration in body health. However, unbalanced nutrition can also negatively affect people's mental functions such as their desire to work, planning and generating new ideas. If malnutrition is severe, it can lead to more serious health problems (Besler et al., 2015).
With globalization, individuals' intense working hours lead to changes in their food preferences and eating habits. Fast food has become preferred due to the need to eat quickly to save time. Obesity disease seems to be widespread in the world due to irregular and unhealthy nutrition. Obesity; It is the presence of more fat in the body than it should be. Risk factors for obesity; are age, gender, environmental factors, economic status, education level, lack of physical activity, nutritional habits, and genetic and psychological factors. Individuals generally continue the eating habits they acquired during childhood and adolescence into old age. The prevalence of obesity has been increasing since childhood. Those who are obese during childhood and adolescence have a higher risk of becoming obese in adulthood compared to those who are thin during this period (Aykol, 1996).
Unbalanced and unhealthy eating habits pave the way for many diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and hypertension, as well as obesity. To be protected from such diseases and to live a healthy life, attention should be paid to nutrition and health should be maintained from childhood (Kocatepe and Tırıl, 2015). Maguire and Monsivais (2015) children, pregnant women, people with difficult working conditions and unemployed adults are the groups most affected by malnutrition.
Some situations also hurt a balanced diet. Some of these are as follows (Ministry of National Education, 2011).
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Lack of adequate education on nutrition
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Insufficient use of health institutions
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Having a physical environment with poor conditions
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Ignorance about food hygiene and food safety
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Unconscious nutrition
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The relationship between the production and consumption of food
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Imbalances
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Lack of sufficient food due to reasons such as famine, war, and natural disaster.
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Financial inadequacies in Purchasing
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Inability to break away from traditions
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Rapid population growth
1.3. Factors Affecting Nutritional Habits
Health behavior; it is all the behaviors related to the protection and development of the individual's health. The role of health professionals in achieving healthy lifestyle behaviours is very important. For this reason, the training healthcare professionals receive on this subject and their ability to apply it is of great importance. The healthcare worker must first apply the training he receives to his own life and set an example for society (Alpar et al., 2008; Al-Qahtani et al., 2015). Nutritional habits are an issue that is emphasized all over the world because they affect the individual physically and psychologically. Situations such as the number of meals, the content and quantity of meals, purchasing food, preparing and cooking meals, as well as whether the person eats fast or slow, the time it takes to chew the food, psychological state, whether the food is hot or cold, are important during nutrition. However, education, income, customs and traditions, climate, environment and living space affect eating habits. For such reasons, it is very difficult to change a person's eating habits (Gul, 2011).
Hacıhasanoğlu et. al (2011) stated that the individual acquires his eating habits in the family environment, and then he takes his final form with the influence of the training received and the environment. Nutrition does not mean that an individual unconsciously eats the foods he wants or eats to satisfy his hunger. According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), nutrition; refers to individuals being in a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Individuals need to have an adequate and balanced diet to increase their living standards and to consciously consume the foods the body needs in appropriate amounts and at the right time for a healthy life (Besler et al., 2015). Behaviors that affect an individual's healthy nutrition; Factors such as gender, age, economic status, marital status and education level come to the fore. Increasing nutrition awareness is one of the primary requirements for societies to achieve the targeted quality of life. For this purpose, societies should act by placing healthy nutrition at the centre of their lifestyle (Ulaş and Genç, 2010). Many factors affect individuals' food preferences and eating habits. These factors are divided into two groups: individual and external factors (environmental) (Karaağaoğlu and Samur, 2015; Güneş and Turhan, 2006) (see Table 1).
Table 1
Factors Affecting Nutrition
External Factors | Indıvidual Factors |
Social, economic and political system | Physiological Needs and Characteristics |
Food availability, production and distribution system | Body Structure |
Family structure | Personal Values and Beliefs |
Family Apps | Food Preferences |
Peers | Personal Concepts |
Social and Cultural Values | Health |
Media | Personal Experiences |
Foods to Eat Quickly | |
Nutrition Awareness | |
Nutrition Awareness Personal Experiences | |