Diabetes and heart disease are the two leading causes of death, and the most expensive healthcare costs in the world. It is fair to say, therefore, that these diseases are among the biggest health issues facing the world. In light of these facts.
Nutrition is the key to preventing these diseases. It has been estimate by experts that lifestyle factor like nutrition and exercise are responsible for of these disease.
The Global Wellness Institute(tm) (“GWI”) is one of the leaders in this space. Global Wellness Institute ™ (“GWI”) is one of the leading players in this field. NASM, with its shared passion to transform lives through education is proud to be this year’s exclusive country partner for the GWI Geography of Wellness US research report and microsite. In order to build on this partnership, NASM has partnered with GWI to create a four-part series of blogs that illustrate the Health from the global wellness sector. The first in the series focuses on food, fitness, and wellness.
What is the Global Wellbeing Institute?
The Global Wellness Institute is a non-profit organization that works to improve and empower wellness in the world by educating people about wellness and preventative health. The GWI collaborates with the public and private sector to achieve their mission.
GWI’s Global Wellness Economy Report, the most recent report from GWI, provided key insights on nutrition and wellness. In 2020, the Well Economy was estimate to be worth . In the US Geography of Wellness Report, GWI stated that North America spends the most per capita, about $3,650 annually.
The majority of these expenditures went to weight loss, healthy eating and nutrition as well as beauty, personal care and physical activity. These three sectors account for approximately $700 billion of spending in the United States.
In the categories of healthy eating, weight loss, and nutrition, there are several themes that highlight where consumers spend their money. Three primary category were note:
Supplements and health food products
Weight loss supplements and products
Weight loss services (e.g. online or in-person programs, dietitians and nutritionists).
The GWI US Geography of Wellness Report revealed that the United States has a strong interest in health, especially around nutrition, weight-loss, and physical exercise.
The Role of Nutrition in Wellbeing
It is important to begin by understanding the meaning of wellness. GWI defines wellness in terms of the pursuit of lifestyles, activities and choices that promote holistic health. Nutrition plays a key role in wellness.
Disease Prevention
Health Promotion
Quality of Life
The role of nutrition in the prevention of disease is very important, particularly when it comes to diseases that are non-communicable or preventable. Nutrition can actually reduce the risk for most of the top causes of death in America.
Higher-quality diets, for example, can reduce the risk of heart diseases, strokes, diabetes and liver disease. Higher-quality diets can include a higher intake of fruits and veggies, a low-to moderate saturated fat intake and minimizing sugars and oils.
The Role of Nutrition in Wellbeing
Health promotion is the other end of the spectrum when it comes to disease prevention. Nutrition can play an active role in promoting good health, rather than just avoiding negative effects of a poor diet. A higher-quality diet can help promote a strong immune system, a robust metabolic function and increased physical activity, as well as promoting resiliency in mental health.
Nutrition can have a significant impact on the quality of your life, particularly as you age. As an example, age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) is often linked to a decline in quality of life and physical ability as people age. This can be countered by eating adequate, high-quality sources of protein. Nutrition has a direct impact on wellness, as it affects both physical and mental health.
NASM, for example, has made nutrition one of five pillars in the NASM Certified Wellbeing Coach Course. This course promotes expert analysis of how wellness can be defined and how it relates to our daily lives.
Do you want to know more about how you can become an accredited wellness coach? You can find out what NASM has to offer as a future leader of a growing industry by clicking here.
Why is good nutrition important for health?
Our bodies rely on energy and nutrients that we get from food to function properly. Our bodies use the calories we consume every day to fuel basic functions like breathing, walking, thinking and heartbeat. Our food contains nutrients that are used to build our cells and tissues (e.g. muscles, internal organs, and bones). Vitamins and minerals are also utilized by our bodies in chemical reactions.
The proper functioning of our bodies depends on nutrition. Deficits in one nutrient, such as iodine, iron or copper, can cause serious medical problems.
FOODS AND VITAMINS KEY FOR MENTAL WELLNESS
Over the past few decades, the role nutrition plays in mental wellbeing has gained more attention. Much has been learn about the direct relationship between nutritional status and psychological wellness. The last few decades of research has taught us many important lessons on how to use nutrition to improve mental health.
Energy balance is the first concept to consider when it comes to nutrition and mental health. The effects of having too many or too few calories over a long period can be detrimental to mental health.
Second, there are certain nutrients that have been shown to influence mental health. Many trials have shown, for example, that consuming enough omega-3 fatty acid and maintaining adequate levels B-complex vitamins is essential to maintaining mental health. These nutrients can improve mental health in some people.
It is not enough to achieve mental health by consuming the right foods. To improve and maintain mental well it should be used in conjunction with an holistic lifestyle approach.
SUMMARY
It has be prove that a proper diet can reduce the risk for many of the most common cause of death, and disease that are prevent. It is therefore accurate to say that nutrition plays an important role in the world’s most pressing health issue.