Introduction Nutrition and food selection are main components in the new Healthy People 2020 objectives. They incorporate the main goal to "promote health and reduce chronic disease risk through the consumption of healthful diets and achievement and maintenance of healthy body weights" (Healthy People 2020). When one consumes a healthy variety of substances, the body is able to maintain better well being for many years as opposed to someone who does not. However, when good nutrition is not accessible, certain risk factors can contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle. These symptoms include anemia’s, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even cancer. Nutrition plays a big role in everyone's life so knowledge must be attained in order to prosper in longevity.
Another important aspect that should be discussed is cultural nutrition practices on health. "As it pertains to the use of food, culture defines what is edible" (Dudek, p. 211). In the nutritional assessment of JL, I notice that she comes from the ethical origins of Italian, German, and Polish. Although she comes from 3 different origins she stated that she relates more to the Italian cultures. Being from an Italian household myself I can relate to the nutrition practices of our culture. Eating is a part of life and a way to bond with your family. If you do not eat it is taken as a sign of disrespect and the family being to question your ulterior motives about dinner.
JL stated that “Sunday dinner is a ritual in my family”, which usually consists of pasta and meatballs. On holidays, excess is not even the correct terminology to what an Italian table looks like. There is an array of appetizers and entrees to go around and you must save room for pastries and donuts for dessert. Eating is an ongoing process in an Italian family and in realizing this, I was able to assess correctly and plan positive health practices for JL.
Nutritional Assessment and Analysis "For