Diet and Nutrition

Nutrition and diet form the foundation of human health, shaping growth, development, energy balance, and disease prevention. The document begins by explaining that diet refers to the consumption of foods to obtain nourishment and energy, while nutrition is the science of food and its relationship to health. Historically, nutrition research evolved from focusing on basic macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in the nineteenth century, to the discovery of vitamins and amino acids in the early twentieth century, and later toward understanding how diet contributes to chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular illness. Over the last century, global nutrition programs led by organizations such as WHO, FAO, and UNICEF emphasized the importance of addressing malnutrition, particularly in developing countries like India, where the Green and White Revolutions increased food supply but poverty and inequities continued to perpetuate undernutrition. Today, nutrition is recognized as an essential part of public health, requiring intersectoral cooperation beyond healthcare alone.