, WGU C787: Nutrition Study Guide
Nutrition to Support Wellness
Macronutrients Micronutrients
Carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins Vitamins and minerals that organisms require in very
small amounts for good health and development.
In addition, calcium, sodium chloride (salt), Plays roles in cell metabolism and other important
magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and sulfur are biological activities. Chronic micronutrient deficiencies
sometimes added to the list of macronutrients are responsible for widespread health problems around
because they are needed in large amounts the world.
Differentiate basic s/s of the following diseases:
Obesity Breathlessness, increased sweating, snoring, inability to cope with sudden physical
activity, feeling very tired every day, back and joint pains, low confidence and self-
esteem.
Marasmus Occurs more often in young children and babies. It leads to dehydration and weight
loss. Starvation is a form of this disorder. S/S: weight loss, dehydration, chronic
diarrhea, stomach shrinkage
Kwashiorkor Severe protein deficiency. Children who develop kwashiorkor are often older than
children who develop marasmus. Person consumes adequate energy but not
enough protein. S/S: Edema, or puffy or swollen appearance due to fluid retention,
bulging of the abdomen, an inability to grow or gain weight
Anorexia nervosa Characterized by a distorted body image, with an unwarranted fear of being
overweight. S/S: include trying to maintain a below-normal weight through
starvation or too much exercise.
Bulimia nervosa People with this condition binge eat. They then take steps to avoid weight gain.
Most commonly, purging. But it can also mean excessive exercising or fasting.
Pellagra Disease caused by a lack of the vitamin niacin (vitamin B3). S/S: include inflamed
skin, diarrhea, dementia, and sores in the mouth. Areas of the skin exposed to
either sunlight or friction are typically affected first.
Identify disease/illness related to specific vitamin deficiencies.
Vitamin A – spots in the eyeball, dry eyes, inability to see dim light, frequent infections –
Vitamin C – scurvy, bruising, bleeding gums, weakness, fatigue, rash
Vitamin D – rickets, bone and hair loss, muscle pain and weakness
Iron – anemia, dizziness, lightheaded, palpitations, pallor
Iodine – enlarged thyroid, constipation, difficulty thinking or understanding, fatigue, sensitivity to cold, or slow
growth.
HEI (Healthy Eating Index) A measure of diet quality used to assess how well a set of
foods aligns with key recommendations of the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans. An ideal overall HEI score of 100
reflects that the set of foods aligns with key dietary
recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans.
DGA (Dietary Guidelines for Americans) Provides evidence-based nutrition information and advice
for people ages two and older to help Americans make
healthy choices about food and beverages in their daily
lives. Guidelines are published every 5 years by the USDA
Nutrition to Support Wellness
Macronutrients Micronutrients
Carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins Vitamins and minerals that organisms require in very
small amounts for good health and development.
In addition, calcium, sodium chloride (salt), Plays roles in cell metabolism and other important
magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and sulfur are biological activities. Chronic micronutrient deficiencies
sometimes added to the list of macronutrients are responsible for widespread health problems around
because they are needed in large amounts the world.
Differentiate basic s/s of the following diseases:
Obesity Breathlessness, increased sweating, snoring, inability to cope with sudden physical
activity, feeling very tired every day, back and joint pains, low confidence and self-
esteem.
Marasmus Occurs more often in young children and babies. It leads to dehydration and weight
loss. Starvation is a form of this disorder. S/S: weight loss, dehydration, chronic
diarrhea, stomach shrinkage
Kwashiorkor Severe protein deficiency. Children who develop kwashiorkor are often older than
children who develop marasmus. Person consumes adequate energy but not
enough protein. S/S: Edema, or puffy or swollen appearance due to fluid retention,
bulging of the abdomen, an inability to grow or gain weight
Anorexia nervosa Characterized by a distorted body image, with an unwarranted fear of being
overweight. S/S: include trying to maintain a below-normal weight through
starvation or too much exercise.
Bulimia nervosa People with this condition binge eat. They then take steps to avoid weight gain.
Most commonly, purging. But it can also mean excessive exercising or fasting.
Pellagra Disease caused by a lack of the vitamin niacin (vitamin B3). S/S: include inflamed
skin, diarrhea, dementia, and sores in the mouth. Areas of the skin exposed to
either sunlight or friction are typically affected first.
Identify disease/illness related to specific vitamin deficiencies.
Vitamin A – spots in the eyeball, dry eyes, inability to see dim light, frequent infections –
Vitamin C – scurvy, bruising, bleeding gums, weakness, fatigue, rash
Vitamin D – rickets, bone and hair loss, muscle pain and weakness
Iron – anemia, dizziness, lightheaded, palpitations, pallor
Iodine – enlarged thyroid, constipation, difficulty thinking or understanding, fatigue, sensitivity to cold, or slow
growth.
HEI (Healthy Eating Index) A measure of diet quality used to assess how well a set of
foods aligns with key recommendations of the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans. An ideal overall HEI score of 100
reflects that the set of foods aligns with key dietary
recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans.
DGA (Dietary Guidelines for Americans) Provides evidence-based nutrition information and advice
for people ages two and older to help Americans make
healthy choices about food and beverages in their daily
lives. Guidelines are published every 5 years by the USDA
