ABSTRACT
The World Health Organization defines health as ‘a state of complete mental, physical and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. One of the factors essential for the attainment of health is a diet that is both adequate and appropriate. An adequate diet is one that provides adequate amounts of metabolic fuels and nutrients to meet physiological needs and prevent the development of deficiency diseases. To achieve an adequate diet is a minimum objective, albeit one to which many in developing countries aspire. An appropriate diet is one which not only meets physiological needs, but does so in a balanced way, without causing any health problems which may be associated with an excessive intake of one or more nutrients or types of food. As discussed in §12.1 and §12.2.3.2, intake of some nutrients at higher levels than those required to prevent the development of deficiency may confer health benefits.
