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15.1: Introduction to Nutrition and Physical Activity

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    In this course, our focus is on how nutrients support health. However, enjoying good health is about so much more than simply meeting nutrient needs. As we discussed in Unit 1, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” For most people, being physically active contributes to all three of those elements of health: physical, mental, and social well-being.

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    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Women working out together photo by Luis Quintero on Unsplash (license information)

    Not surprisingly, the more you ask of your body in terms of physical activity, the more attention you’ll need to give to fueling it with nutrients. With optimal nourishment, your body will in turn reward you with improved performance and energy levels. Fueling a physically active body is based on the same principles we’ve discussed throughout this course, but requirements for energy and some nutrients are increased. In this unit, we’ll cover the elements of physical fitness, the benefits of physical activity, and recommendations for fueling an active lifestyle and athletic performance.

    This page titled 15.1: Introduction to Nutrition and Physical Activity is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Alice Callahan, Heather Leonard, & Tamberly Powell (OpenOregon) .