Final answer:
Overnutrition among Americans is most likely due to excessive intake of calories and fat, leading to serious health issues like obesity and heart-related diseases. It's essential to understand the importance of a balanced diet, as it supplies our body with micronutrients and macronutrients necessary for proper functioning.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among Americans, overnutrition is most likely to result from an excessive intake of calories and fat (option c). Overnutrition occurs when the intake of nutrients is oversupplied. While all nutrients are vital for our survival and proper functioning of the body, including proteins, vitamins and minerals, issues arise when they are consumed in excess relative to the body's needs and its ability to expend energy.
An excessive intake of calories and fat can lead to obesity and related diseases such as type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Even when they come from healthy food sources, it's crucial to maintain a balance in food intake and energy expenditure.
Role of a Balanced Diet: Micronutrients and Macronutrients
Understanding the role of a balanced diet is crucial to maintain good health. A balanced diet provides us with all the essential nutrients required for bodily functioning. These include micronutrients and macronutrients.
Micronutrients encompass vitamins and minerals that our body needs in smaller quantities, and must be consumed nearly every day as the body cannot store them. Macronutrients are carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, required in larger amounts by cells. Macronutrients provide the bulk of our energy, whereas micronutrients support our broader nutritional needs.
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