Do you eat to live or eat? We have a complex relationship with food, influenced by the costs, availability and even by the pressure of the known.
Although there are differences from person to person, we share the appetite, our willingness to eat. Hunger – a sensation caused by our body when it needs food – is part of it, but it is not the only factor. After all, we also eat when we are not hungry and can skip a meal, even if the stomach snores.
Recent research has shown the abundance of references to food – flavors, sounds, ads – main causes of excessive food intake.
Appetite is also not permanent – it changes over time as we get older. There are "seven ages" of appetite. And a better understanding of each phase can help develop new ways to deal with both inadequate and overeating – and with health consequences such as malnutrition and obesity.
The first decade
In early childhood, the body undergoes rapid growth. Eating behavior that developed early in life can extend into adulthood, making an overweight adult an obese adult.
To prevent this from happening, children must also experience some control, especially with regard to portion sizes. Being forced to "clean up" the record by the parents can gradually cease to be guided by their appetite and hunger and are encouraged to eat extremely much.
In this sense there is a growing social outrage for governments. small children protect against advertising junk food (the one with a high calorie content but with a reduced content of nutrients) – not only on television, but also in applications, social networks and video channels. How advertising encourages consumption can contribute to obesity in children.
A food education strategy that encourages young people to experiment can help them learn unknown but important foods such as vegetables. and vegetables
The second decade, 10 to 20 years
In adolescence, the increase in appetite and stature, driven by hormones, marks the onset of puberty. The way in which the adolescent will deal with food at this critical stage will determine his lifestyle in the coming years.
This means that the decisions of young people about nutrition are intrinsically linked to the health of future generations, which later they will become parents.
Women are generally more likely to have a nutritional deficit than boys because of their reproductive system. Adolescents who become pregnant are also at greater risk because the development of the fetus competes with the growth of the mother body, which is still in formation.
The third decade, 20-30 years
] Changes in lifestyle – such as studying, marrying or having children – can help to arrive at this stage. And once accumulated, body fat can be hard to lose.
The body sends out strong eating noises when we eat fewer calories than it needs, but warnings to prevent overeating are weaker, which can lead to an excessive consumption cycle. There are still many physiological and psychological factors that make it difficult to maintain a moderate diet over time.
Therefore, researchers are dedicated to studying satiety, feeling satisfied. This is useful if you are trying to lose weight, because hunger is one of the most important obstacles to eating less than the body says you need.
Different foods send different signals to the brain. It is easy to take a jar of ice, for example because the fat does not trigger the brain mechanisms, so we stop eating. On the other hand, food rich in protein, water or fiber makes us feel happier for a longer time.
The fourth decade, 30 to 40 years
Adult work life puts on other challenges that go beyond the snoring of the stomach. The effects of stress, responsible for changes in appetite and eating habits of 80% of the population, can cause you to get stuck or lose the urge to eat.
Comments, in addition to opposites, the scientific community still intrigue: phenomenon of "binge eating" – irresistible desire to consume specific, often calories, foods – is not well understood.
Structuring the work environment to avoid questionable consumption patterns – the question of how to deal with stress and eating habits – such as buying vending products – is a challenge. Companies must strive to subsidize and promote quality food for employees, making them healthier and more productive. The term "diet" comes from the Greek word diaita which means that the word "diet" comes from the Greek word " diaita which means" lifestyle, way of life. "[19659002] In the language of psychology we are "beings of habit," and therefore we are often reluctant to replace our preferences, even if we know we will do well, we want to eat what we want, without changing our lifestyle, and yet have a healthy body and mind.
There is no lack of evidence to show that unbalanced nutrition is one of the most important factors contributing to ill health. "According to WHO (World Health Organization), smoking, sedentary lifestyle, abusive alcohol consumption and the assumption of an inadequate diet are the most important factors of the influence of lifestyle on health and mortality.
It is in the forty and fifty that adults often change their habits as a result of health issues.
For many people, however, this change does not happen. The false feeling that everything is good – when, in fact, multiple illnesses need years to manifest and others have "invisible" symptoms – it helps to preserve inertia. The sixth decade, from the 1950s to the 1960s
After 50 years, we began to suffer a gradual loss of muscle mass, from 0.5% to 1% per year. It is called sarcopenia. Lack of physical activity, low protein intake and menopause can accelerate this process in women.
In addition to exercising, eating a healthy and varied diet is important to reduce the effects of aging. And the needs of the older population – protein-rich, expensive, protein-rich food – are not fulfilled by the market.
Protein-enriched snacks can be a good way for older adults to increase their intake of the nutrient, but there are currently few products on the shelves that are tailored to the requirements and preferences of this audience.
The seventh decade, from the 60s to the 70s, and then
of increasing lifespan, is to maintain the quality of life of the population. Otherwise we become a society of the elderly who are ill or incapacitated for work.
Adequate nutrition is important because old age is associated with reduced appetite and hunger, leading to unintended weight loss and greater vulnerability. Lack of appetite can also be the result of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Eating is a social experience. The loss of a companion or family member, as well as eating alone, can affect the pleasure of eating. Other effects of old age – such as dental problems, slinking, loss of taste and smell – also interfere with the urge to eat and our rewards.
We must remember that food throughout life is not just fuel, but a social and cultural experience to enjoy.
Therefore, we must strive to view all meals as an opportunity to enjoy food and the positive effects the right food can have on our health.
* Alex Johnstone is a researcher at the Rowett Institute for Health and Nutrition at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. This article was originally published on the Conversation website.
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