Daily energy requirements

We all need different amounts of energy (or calories) from food to be a healthy weight. How much you need depends on several factors, including how active you are.

Fig 7 Daily energy requirements

Poor nutrition
Not eating the right balance of vitamins, minerals and nutritious food can cause health and wellbeing issues. Not eating enough nutritious foods or eating too much non-nutritious foods may cause malnutrition. Malnutrition refers to poor or imbalanced nutrition lack.

Implications of poor nutrition
Short term implications of poor nutrition in children can lead to:

• Loss of concentration
• Poor growth and physical development
• Tiredness
• Increased infections due to a low immune system
• Tooth decay – caused by sugary foods
• Bleeding gums
• Poor skin and hair condition
• Obesity

Long term implications of poor nutrition:

• Heart conditions
• Diabetes
• Weak immune system
• Osteoporosis
• Diabetes
• Obesity