1. Introduction
The World Health Organization has stated that nutrition is an input and basis for health and development. Proper nutrition makes people stronger and more productive. Eating healthy food enables a stronger immune system, less illness and better health.
Proper nutrition and health are an essential key to improving the quality of life [1]. Interrelationships between health, diet and disease prevention are some phenomena which every day more and more are becoming clearer and aware of different people around the world.
Nutritional education, promotion of appropriate eating behaviors and lifestyles are moving towards to have a significant attention either through social networks, media or billboards. Consequently, nutritional education should be included in the dissemination of information in order for it to be more effective. In a broader sense, nutritional education can be defined as “any combination of teaching methods designed to facilitate the adoption of voluntary food choices and other types of food with the addition that includes appropriate behavior meals that are important for a health and welfare to the person, community or even a certain population” [2].
Social influences on food intake refer to the impact that one or more persons have on the eating behavior of others, either direct or indirect, either conscious or subconscious. Even when eating alone, food choice is influenced by social factors because attitudes and habits develop through the interaction with others [1].
Research has shown that we eat more with our friends and family than when we eat alone and the quantity of food increases as the number of fellow diners grows [2].
The relationship between low socio-economic status and poor health is complicated and is influenced by gender, age, culture, environment, social and community networks, individual lifestyle factors and health be- haviours. Population studies show that there are clear differences in social classes with regard to food and nutrient intakes. Low-income groups in particular, have a greater tendency to consume unbalanced diets and have low intakes of fruit and vegetables [3].
The relationship between low socio-economic status and poor health is complicated and is influenced by gender, age, culture, environment, social and community networks, individual lifestyle factors and health be- haviours [4].
Population studies show that there are clear differences in social classes with regard to food and nutrient intakes. Low-income groups in particular, have a greater tendency to consume unbalanced diets and have low intakes of fruit and vegetables [3].
This leads to both under-nutrition (micronutrients deficiency) and over-nutrition (energy overconsumption resulting in overweight and obesity) within the members of a community, depending on the age group, gender and level of deprivation. The disadvantaged people also develop chronic diseases at an earlier age compared with higher socio-economic groups, usually identified by educational and occupational levels.
Low-income groups who find it difficult to achieve a balanced healthy diet, are often referred to as experienc- ing food poverty or food insecurity [5]. There are many aspects to food poverty but three of the main barriers to eating a balanced healthy diet include cost, accessibility and knowledge [6]. These factors have led to the development of areas known as food deserts. A reliance on energy-rich, nutrient-poor foods is a consequence of lack of money to buy wholesome foods. The price premium on healthy foods also appears to be greater in low- income areas. Moreover, a lack of proper cooking facilities at home increases the need to eat convenience or take-away food that has a potentially higher energy density.
Living on a low income can also present logistical obstacles to eat well, such a lack of transportation. Public transport is not a viable solution for many, particularly those with young children or mobility difficulties. Finally, a lack of knowledge or too much conflicting information on diet and health, lack of motivation and the loss of cooking skills can inhibit buying and preparing meals from basic ingredients. Experimenting with cooking is a luxury that low-income groups can ill-afford.
Education level and income determine food choices and behaviours that can ultimately lead to diet-related diseases. The origins of many of the problems faced by people on low incomes emphasises the need for a multi- disciplinary approach to targeting social needs and improving health inequalities.
Therefore, nutrition education should be viewed in a broader context that includes other factors that affect food choices and lifestyles; environments where people work, act, learn and play have a fundamental impact on diet and to their physical activity [2].
Practical aspects such as cost, preparation and poor availability of time due to work are common barriers to the recommended changes. Lack of knowledge about the importance of healthy eating is not perceived by consumers as the main barrier to changing diets, although it is quite important [8].
Three of the ten leading causes of death in the US are directly related to nutrition. These diseases are coronary heart disease, cancer, and diabetes mellitus [9]. The prevalence of unbalanced diet and lifestyle has resulted wit obesity and other dangerous diseases [1].
Lacks of nutritional education, malnutrition as a result of socioeconomic basic conditions are sufficient to in- crease the risk of various diseases in humans. Based on this, we can say that nutritional education or the food manner is associated with a lifestyle that makes a person and under the conditions, the person can progress or stagnate in this regard [10]. According to the World Health Organization, all forms of malnutrition are directly related to the number of deaths, mortality, and economic costs rising [1]. However, lack of nutritional education sends people in malnutrition, which is defined as poor nutrition as a result of the scarcity of food, the application of an unbalanced diet, or excessive use of food. Also, there are about a billion people worldwide who have a lack of nutritional education and malnutrition as the results of these aspects:
Their life and incomes are insufficient to ensure the food and that comes in paralysis of nutrition education, then the lack of skills to prepare food and adequate products. But it is worth noting that improving the living cost in a natural manner, also provides nutrition education of the people [11]. Without considering developing countries and lifestyle that makes people, nutritional education should be comprehensive but being balanced with their lifestyle because it is more than necessary for both sides [12]. Because the lack of nutritional education is not only in under developed countries, but also in industrialized countries and has a connection with the person’s education and lifestyle they do. Most of the victims are the people who apply a diet to lose weight quickly [7].
Many pregnant women, infants and children are also victims because their nutritional needs are relatively high. Illness, injury, alcohol and drug abuse can hinder digestion and metabolism of food [1]. Psychologists have described two types of knowledge about nutritional educations in a person’s life: The first is the declarative knowledge that has to do with recognizing things or process, e.g.: Someone may know that vitamins are essential to one’s diet; or too fat are not beneficial to one’s diet [9]. Procedural knowledge is concerned with the practical application of declarative knowledge as e.g. preparation of certain foods. So obviously feeding behavior involving these two kinds of knowledge [13].
Regarding the question of nutritional knowledge as applied in everyday life, the answer to this depends on the person himself, for example, an old lady may need educational feeder, as well a child in elementary school may need educational feeder [4].
The value of food is related to the person’s values and experiences pleasure from food or the need that complements, and so people make the difference in where someone consumes food a certain food and another not, where someone considers unhealthy eating a certain food and someone else uses it to supplement food hunger and not concerned about his/here health at all [2].
Finally, the creation of an environment that enables healthy choices and sustainable living are especially important for those who are faced with inadequate facilities or unaffordable recreational and unsafe environments for walking, jogging or cycling. Alliances between government, local authorities and public health authorities will need to be unified to create an environment that facilitates lifestyle changes and complements nutrition education messages [6]. It is noteworthy that saving changes in health behavior. It is more difficult and requires motivation, ability and behavior and social support [12].
2. Some Recommendations on Nutrition, Diet and Health
Foods that prevent breast cancer as a generalized disease, according to a study in eight women risk of this disease. Experts give advice on what to eat to reduce the development of breast cancer. Various studies show that the risk of some cancers affected by diets, especially if you do not eat fruits and vegetables enough and abuse with narcotic and psychoactive substances. Experts remain faithful to Mediterranean diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, olive oil, which reduces the risk of breast cancer, especially in women after menopause. Always referring to the study, 9% of cancer could be prevented by changes to food regime.
2.1. What Should Be Eating More
You should eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants that prevent the oxidation process (O2 molecules merge with other chemicals and form cancerous cells). They are also rich in fiber that prevents the risk of cancer. Green vegetables (dark) such as spinach and cabbage are rich in Vitamin B which enhances DNA and reduces the risk of cancer, even vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, green salads are also a good source to prevent the formation of cancer cells.
2.2. What Should Be Eating Less
Red Meat—his grease-saturated associated with breast cancer risk in the postmenopausal period and slim chances of survival after diagnosis with cancer. Eat 70-90 grams per day and avoid meat fried or grilled. Sweets, cookies, pastries. Those contain hidden fats and hydrogenated which raise cholesterol levels. Sugar in- creases the glucose level and insulin concentration known as much risk for breast cancer. Even processed foods with some of the products mentioned above are believed to be cancerous.
2.3. The Secret of a Healthy Diet
Having a perfect body and an excellent shape is difficult. Diets do not always have the expected effect and are very uncomfortable. But there is a special way to lose weight through a healthy diet.
a) Count calories
b) Cut down on sugar and fat
c) Avoid sugary drinks and alcohol
People who live in the area around the Mediterranean Sea have been found to have a lower risk of heart disease.
Research studies show that when people in other parts of the world eat a diet similar to that eaten in Mediterranean countries, they reduce their risk of heart disease.
The Mediterranean diet contains large amounts of fruit, vegetables, and vegetarian proteins, moderate amounts of whole grains, and small amounts of red meat. Regular use of fish, olive oil, and nuts makes this diet higher in fat than the classic “heart healthy diet”, but the fat is mostly unsaturated, which can be good for the heart. The pyramid to the left (Figure 1) and the chart (Table 1) describe the types and amounts of foods found
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Figure 1. Mediterranean diet foodpyramid.
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Table 1. Mediterranean diet-food guide.
Limit egg yolks to 4 per week. Egg whites can be eaten in unlimited amounts. Limit your sweets—use fruit as your dessert. Lean red meats (beef, pork, lamb and veal) can be eaten 3-4 times per month. Indicates foods high in sodium; these foods should be limited, especially for those with high blood pressure.
in a heart healthy Mediterranean diet.
Getting enough physical activity is very important. Start with 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise 5 times a week. Moderate exercise includes activities like walking, biking, or swimming.
Weight Control—while eating higher amounts of unsaturated fat in the Mediterranean diet can be heart healthy, larger portion sizes may lead to increased calorie intake and weight gain. If you are trying to lose weight, choose fewer servings from each food group, and make sure your serving sizes match those listed [11].
Limit egg yolks to 4 per week. Egg whites can be eaten in unlimited amounts. Limit your sweets—use fruit as your dessert.
Lean red meats (beef, pork, lamb and veal) can be eaten 3-4 times per month.
· Indicates foods high in sodium; these foods should be limited, especially for those with high blood pressure [11].
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank and dedicate this research to my deceased mother: Dr. Shkurte SAdemaj-Gashi “We know to eat, but do we know how to feed” by Erza Voca Mulaj!
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NOTES
*Corresponding author.