Nutrition is essential for good health and plays an important role in growth and development, and in disease prevention.

Optimum nutrition is associated with a stronger immune system, safer pregnancy and childbirth, lower risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and life longevity.

NCDs, also known as chronic diseases, tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors. The main types of NCD are cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes (WHO).

This handbook is a practical guide to effective nutrition intervention and counselling for dieticians and nutritionists.

The text begins with discussion on nutrition amongst different sectors of the population (pre term and paediatric, in women’s health, and in the elderly).

The following chapters cover preventive and curative nutrition management of patients with various NCDs such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological and renal disorders.

The final sections examine nutrition therapy in transplant patients, enteral (tube) feeding, and rehabilitation, concluding with discussion on bone health nutrition, sports nutrition, and food drug interaction.