Final answer:
Nutrition is the biological process involving the consumption and use of food substances for health and growth, depending on a balanced intake of the six fundamental nutrients. Good nutrition is crucial for repair, immunity, and energy homeostasis. Malnutrition arises when there is an imbalance in nutrient and energy intake.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is Nutrition?
Nutrition is a biological process that encompasses the ingestion, digestion, absorption, and utilization of food substances. It is the study of how different foods and their nutrients impact growth, metabolism, repair, and overall health. The nutrients supplied by food are essential for energy production, cellular structure, and the functionality of the immune system.
A balanced diet is integral in achieving good nutrition. This implies that an individual consumes the right amounts of the six basic types of nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. These nutrients are necessary for sustaining and promoting normal bodily functions, which include growth and reproduction, the repair and maintenance of body tissues, the proper functioning of the immune system, and maintaining an adequate energy balance, also known as energy homeostasis.
Malnutrition, including undernutrition and overnutrition, can arise from an imbalance in nutrient intake. To ensure good nutrition, it is not only important to consider nutrient density but also the energy content or Calories in food to maintain the equilibrium between energy intake and expenditure.