36

4e

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6.

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Physical State: Fatigue, either acute or chronic, may be a determining
factor in successful digestion.

Mastication: Thorough mastication of food is the first step in normal
digestion, This requires normal teeth and proper habits of eating.

Rate of Eating: The gulping of partially masticated food is one of our
most serious errors in the hygiene of nutrition. Why?

Amount and Character of Food: The selection of the proper amount and
balance of foods for the individual is of vital importance.

Guide to Successful Nutrition: In attempting to judge whether his nutri-
tion is normal, the individual can take certain factors as guides:

a, Hunger: A general term by which we express the demands of the
body for food to replace waste, supply energy and building
materials. Sensation is referred to stomach. Taken alone it
is not a safe guide,

be Appetite: Is psychic as well as physical. It expresses both a
desire for and a relish of food.

ce Height and weight tables

The height and weight tables graduated for age are one of our
practical indices of nutrition. The "average" weights shown on
these tables are not an absolute criterion. Due allowances must
be made for race and family habit. For children the Sydenstrick
er and the Baldwin-Wood tables are best; for adults, the Insure
ance Company Tables. Life insurance experience suggests that
the optimum weight for young adults (under 40 years of age) is
5810% above the average weights of tables.

ad, Objective signs of successful nutrition
These are important guides for individual:
(1) Color of skin and lips
(2) Firmness of muscles
(3) Posture
(4) Regularity of excretions

e, Subjective signs of successful nutrition

(1) Foeling of well-being
(2) Energy

(3) Endurance

(4)

Prompt recovery from fatigue