Describe the federal government’s guidelines for dietary fat. How does the consumption of fat impact adult nutrition?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer: The federal government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that no more than 10 percent of total caloric intake be made up of saturated fat, which generally comes from meat and dairy products and is solid at room temperature. No dietary limits are placed on healthy, unsaturated fats, found in most types of vegetable oil. Research indicates that saturated fat, especially from meat, plays a role in the age-related rise in cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and colon cancer. In contrast, consuming unsaturated fat, especially in the form of linoleic acid—which is plentiful in corn, soybean, and safflower oils and in nuts and seeds—is linked to reduced cardiovascular disease mortality. When we consume excessive saturated fat, some is converted to cholesterol, which accumulates as plaque on the arterial walls in atherosclerosis. Although atherosclerosis is determined by multiple biological and environmental factors, saturated fat consumption (along with other societal conditions) is an important contributor to the high rate of heart disease in the U.S. black population. A vital goal of public health strategies aimed at improving nutrition and reducing the risk of chronic diseases is inducing people to replace saturated fat with unsaturated fat and with complex carbohydrates (whole grains, fruits, and vegetables), which are beneficial to cardiovascular health and protective against colon cancer. Furthermore, regular exercise can reduce the harmful influence of saturated fat because it creates chemical byproducts that help eliminate cholesterol from the body.