Nutrition And Clinical Outcome In Intensive Care

Beliefs about Nutrition/Eating Pattern

Discuss about the Nutrition and Clinical Outcome in Intensive Care.

Today people pay attention to the hectic schedules at work and other important responsibilities, hence limiting the amount of time spent on nutrition or eating patterns. Eating pattern is a totality of all foods and beverages that are consumed by an individual. Nutrition is what gives a person the required raw materials for growth, recuperation, and energy. I will, therefore, reflect on my beliefs about the dimensions of nutrition, factors that have influenced my belief about the health behavior and lastly, I will analyze how to conduct an important conversation with clients who do not share my beliefs about nutrition.

Various beliefs are associated with the nutrition or eating pattern. The first belief is that it ought to favor frequent and smaller feedings instead of larger ones, throughout the day. When an individual feeds the body many times in a day, the person’s metabolism normally increases. Therefore, the increased amount of fat that is in the body is usually burnt. Feeding frequency is also important, this is because an individual should eat in a frequency of fewer than three hours so as to ensure that the body does not switch to the state of catabolism -catabolism refers to the breaking down of complex molecules to simpler molecules (Thibault & Pichard, 2010). The belief is that an individual should eat between to six meals in a day spaced at an interval of two to three-hour intervals. The decision usually depends on gender and goals.

The other belief is that a meal ought to have protein, carbohydrates, and fat in their correct ratios. All the macro-nutrients ought to be present so as ensure the body can absorb them in the right manner. My belief is that the ratios should be in the following proportions: forty percent of carbohydrates, forty percent of proteins and twenty percent of fats

Moderate consumption of alcohol is important since it can improve the health of an individual and may lead to a prolonged life. Proper attention ought to be paid to the key term “moderation,” which means that a woman is supposed to take one drink in a day on average and men are required to consume at most two drinks in a day. The women are saved from the risk of cancer of the breast, rectum, throat, mouth, esophagus and liver. Furthermore, alcohol and the health of the heart normally have a positive relationship. Finally, alcohol is important in boosting the brain power.

Risky Nutrition/Eating Pattern

Drinking eight glasses of water in a day is important for the body of a person to function in a proper way. A person should drink at specific intervals, to ensure that it does harm the body but helps it to function in a proper way. The first is drinking a glass of water after waking up; it is important to activate the internal organs. The water is believed to help in removing the toxins before taking the first meal of the day. It is essential to drink another one glass of water thirty minutes before the meal, so as to help digestion of the body. It is not right to drink the water too soon after or before the meal, as the water will dilute the juices of digestion. One should also drink a glass of water before taking a bath, so as to help in lowering the individual’s pressure of the blood. Lastly, is taking a glass of water one before retiring to bed, this helps to replenish the fluid loss that normally occurs while sleeping.

A risky healthy behavior is characterized by taking a meal after an interval of more than three to four hours. It is because when an individual fails to take a meal after an estimation of three to four hours, the body usually switches to a state of catabolism. A catabolic state is a state that an individual loses the muscles and gains the body fats. The body usually believes that it is undergoing body starvation, therefore, it starts to feed itself on tissues of lean muscles and stores calories as fat. Taking a meal beyond the interval of three to four hours is a risky eating pattern.

It is my belief that eating before going to bed is not right. The body of an individual ought not to take large quantities of food before bedtime. The activity that involves the digestive system and process may lead to poor quality of sleep. A light snack is normally recommended so as to satisfy the cravings and to help the body at night. Going to sleep immediately after taking a meal increase the chances of stroke. One who waits for one hour after dinner before going to sleep decreases the chances of being attacked by stroke by sixty-six percent.

Consumption of alcohol may also be harmful to the body of an individual especially in circumstances that are consumed in large amounts (WHO, 2014).The excessive alcohol usually interferes with the communication pathways of the brain, hence affect how the brain works and looks. The disruption normally leads to mood and behavior changes. Drinking too much for a particular occasion or for a long time may damage the heart, leading to problems such as Arrhythmias, stroke, Cardiomyopathy, and high blood pressure. Heavy drinking may also lead to problems that associated with the liver such as steatosis, cirrhosis, alcohol hepatitis and fibrosis (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2012).Additionally, too much alcohol normally increases the chances of developing particular types of cancers such as cancer of the breast, esophagus, mouth, liver and throat (Winstanley et al., 2011).

Factors Influencing the Beliefs about Nutrition/Eating Pattern

I believe that eating too many carbohydrates is a risky health behavior since the excess carbohydrates are usually converted into fat in the body. As Mesas, Muñoz-Pareja, López-García, and Rodríguez-Artalejo (2012), excessive fat in the body increases the total amount of calories, which may lead to obesity. Therefore, I believe that the consumption of excessive carbohydrates is harmful to the body of an individual. Furthermore, failure to consume carbohydrates can lead to a lack of calories where the body will be forced to use the fats in the body to make up for the calories, which normally affects the metabolism process of the body. An individual is therefore required to consume carbohydrates in the required ration so as to avoid malnutrition.

I believe that culture and society are among the factors that influence nutrition or eating pattern when referring to the Health Beliefs Model. It is worth to note that there is a positive relationship between socio-economic factors and nutrition as McKinnon, Giskes, and Turrell (2014) suggest. Friends and families also influence the eating pattern. In situations where people are together, they tend to consume more or less, which may be different from a person can consume while alone. The type of food that an individual normally consumes when is with other people is also distinct from that that is consumed when one is alone. Increased consumption of meals that are rich in carbohydrates may increase the amount of fat in the body which may further lead to obesity. In some situations, people may decide to eat a lesser amount of food especially when they are with others; this typically leads to malnutrition. Family and friends gathering may lead to an increase in the alcohol consumption which may be harmful to the body as suggested by Molina, Donovan, and Belendiuk (2010).

Additionally, I believe that technology and media have been acting as shaping forces in culture for various years. It is believed that children with the tendency to watch television are usually subjected to unhealthy eating patterns. In our culture, the trends of the eating patterns are often influenced by the marketing strategies that have been used.  Advertisements for highly refined, highly processed, unhealthy food that are accompanied by sweeteners and fat have an adverse influence on the nutrition or the eating pattern. Many people especially the youth are usually susceptible to what is portrayed by the media. The media is, therefore, to blame for an epidemic that is associated with body dysmorphia and other issues that are related to self-image. Magazines that are full of muscular men and slim girls may result in a negative body image, hence encourage unhealthy nutrition. Therefore, this summarizes the influence of culture on nutrition. A culture that is associated with certain type of food culture is also affects the eating patterns or nutrition, for instance, if a culture is made up of vegetarians, an individual from such a culture will be a vegetarian since it is a norm in the culture. Some cultures do allow the people to consume some types of foods hence forcing it’s the populace in that society to consume food that lacks some of the essential macronutrients. It may, therefore, lead to malnutrition or excessive consumption of carbohydrates that frequently leads to obesity as stipulated by Barclay and Brand-Miller, (2011).

The other factor is related to the gender of an individual. There is a belief that women typically need fewer calories than men. If on average a woman decides to consume some calories as that consumed by a man, she will end up gaining weight. The women are therefore predisposed to consume less amount of food which may lead to malnutrition. Men, on the other hand, will be encouraged by the fact that they are required to consume an increased amount of food. The increased consumption of food may lead to excess consumption of carbohydrates into the body, which is usually converted to fats, hence increasing the chances of been affected by obesity as suggested by Brown, Ioannidis, Cope, Bier, and Allison (2014).

The first thing that I will do is to carry out a thorough research on the important things concerning the eating patterns and nutrition. I will also take the chance to look at the factors that influence the healthy behaviors while referring to a particular Healthy Belief Model. Then I will use that opportunity to consult with the experts to confirm some of my beliefs. Once confirmed, I will be with be able to see the clients and help them to understand my beliefs.  I will primarily converse by asking customers about some of their beliefs, especially those that they believe as true. Due to the research that I have conducted, I will take my time try to convince the clients what makes to alter their beliefs by using evidence-based materials. Once they are convinced, I will allow them to ask any question concerning their beliefs on the eating pattern and the convincing analogy that I have given to them. When their questions are answered, I will take my time to give a statement about my beliefs.

I will explain to the clients about the beliefs that I have about the eating pattern and nutrition. I will start by mentioning the beliefs that are in my mind, and allow them to comment or suggest anything concerning the convictions. The move will be substantial since it will allow me to understand the specific place to begin my explanation. It will also enable me to be aware of any belief that the may have a little knowledge about it. The next step will be to explain each belief in details starting with what characterize healthy nutrition or good eating patterns. I will go to what characterize risky eating behavior, which will enable the clients to get a clear distinction of the healthy behaviors. After the explanation, I will allow the clients to come up with any questions concerning the healthy behavior or for clarification for any particular explanation. Then I will try to use examples so as to enable the clients to get a clear understanding of what I am trying to explain to them.

I will then explain the factors that usually influence the healthy behavior paying much attention to a specific Healthy Beliefs Model. Once the clients understand the factors, it will be my time to ask some few questions that concern the healthy behavior. Finally, I will explain to customers about what I will believe one ought to do in an attempt to ensure that the individual is not affected by the healthy behavior. I will use evidenced-based materials to make sure that the client is convinced of my beliefs about eating patterns and nutrition.

Conclusion

The health beliefs that have been identified and explained about the eating behavior of an individual are valid and ought to be observed. Some of these my beliefs have been proven scientifically since they are based on evidence-based materials, which has been essential in explaining relevant facts to arising doubters of such beliefs. The scientific explanation of some of the above health beliefs helps to show that even the other beliefs are correct and individuals are supposed to adhere to them so as to ensure they lead a healthy life. It is worth noting that many authors and scientists have supported the health beliefs, hence requiring individuals to observe them so that they can be in a position to avoid the consequences associated with the failure to follow them.

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2012). Australian Health Survey: First Results, 2011-12. CAT No. 4364.0.55.003, (1), 1–61. https://doi.org/ABS cat. no. 4364.0.55.003

Barclay, A. W., & Brand-Miller, J. (2011). The Australian paradox: A substantial decline in sugars intake over the same timeframe that overweight and obesity have increased. Nutrients, 3(12), 491–504. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu3040491

Brown, A. W., Ioannidis, J. P. A., Cope, M. B., Bier, D. M., & Allison, D. B. (2014). Unscientific beliefs about scientific topics in nutrition. Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 5(5), 563–5. https://doi.org/10.3945/AN.114.006577

McKinnon, L., Giskes, K., & Turrell, G. (2014). The contribution of three components of nutrition knowledge to socio-economic differences in food purchasing choices. Public Health Nutrition, 17(8), 1814–24. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980013002036

Mesas,  a E., Muñoz-Pareja, M., López-García, E., & Rodríguez-Artalejo, F. (2012). Selected eating behaviours and excess body weight: a systematic review. Obesity Reviews?: An Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 13(2), 106–35. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00936.x

Molina, B. S. G., Donovan, J. E., & Belendiuk, K. A. (2010). Familial loading for alcoholism and offspring behavior: Mediating and moderating influences. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 34(11), 1972–1984. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2010.01287.x

Thibault, R., & Pichard, C. (2010). Nutrition and clinical outcome in intensive care patients. … in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care, 13(2), 177–183. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0b013e32833574b9

WHO. (2014). Global status report on alcohol and health. World Health Organization, 1–100. https://doi.org//entity/substance_abuse/publications/global_alcohol_report/en/index.html

Winstanley, M. H., Pratt, I. S., Chapman, K., Griffin, H. J., Croager, E. J., Olver, I. N., … Slevin, T. J. (2011). Alcohol and cancer: A position statement from Cancer Council Australia. Medical Journal of Australia.