Final answer:
Poor nutritional choices can delay menstruation, affect hormone levels, and lead to infertility. Additionally, malnutrition can impact the immune system and overall health of individuals. Lack of diverse and adequate sources of protein is particularly detrimental to reproductive health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Poor nutritional choices can have a significant impact on reproductive health. Inadequate nutrition, especially starvation, can delay menstruation and affect hormone levels, leading to infertility. Short-term stress caused by poor nutrition can affect hormone levels, while long-term stress can postpone puberty and cause irregular menstrual cycles. Additionally, toxins, tobacco smoking, marijuana use, gonadal injuries, and aging can also affect fertility.
Malnutrition can also have long-term effects on the immune system and overall health. The energetic balance of an organism is affected by nutrition deficiency, and famines or subsistence can impact the energy balance of individuals and populations. Poor nutrition during pregnancy can reprogram the biological components of the fetus and potentially lead to a disadvantageous phenotype throughout life. Overall, poor nutritional choices, such as a lack of diverse and adequate sources of protein, can negatively impact reproductive health and increase the risk of infertility and other reproductive issues.