Controlling food intake is important for many reasons, primarily to maintain optimal health. Overeating, especially foods high in saturated fat or sugar, may lead to many health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Controlling intake of food is also important to maintain a healthy weight. Those who do not control what they eat are at a risk for obesity, which also can lead to health issues. Conversely, it is also important to obtain sufficient calories and nutrients by ensuring one's diet meets the guidelines set by nutrition experts.
Infants and children need specific amounts of calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals to maintain good nutrition and healthy weight. Controlling food intake for babies, children, and adolescents is important for growth and brain development. This means eating a diet that meets daily nutritional guidelines. Also, children who overeat and do not control what they eat are likely to become obese adults and face health issues later in life.
For individuals who suffer from certain medical conditions such as diabetes, controlling daily intake of food is essential. Diabetics may be on a restricted diet and must carefully monitor the foods they consume. This may mean limiting or eliminating sugar and many types of carbohydrates from the diet. If a diabetic patient's food intake is not controlled, the medical condition may worsen and serious complications may occur.
Controlling food intake during pregnancy is essential for the health of both the mother and unborn child. Nourishment is vital for the mother and the developing fetus, therefore food intake will need to be carefully monitored to be certain nutritional requirements are being met. It's also import to control intake of food so the mother does not gain too much weight. Gaining an excessive amount of weight can lead to complications in pregnancy, such as high blood pressure or gestational diabetes. Obesity during pregnancy can also lead to a difficult delivery.
Individuals with hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, need to control food intake. In many cases, these individuals will be on a sodium-restricted diet and need to monitor foods they consume. Without controlling food intake by following doctor's guidelines, patients with high blood pressure face serious complications such as stroke.
Controlling food intake is also important for psychological well-being. Those who overeat or overindulge in unhealthy foods will gain weight and are more likely to have a poor self image. Obesity can have a direct impact on how a person perceives himself. This can lead to emotional issues, such as depression or, in extreme cases, suicide.