The diet centred visual health check (DCHVC)
[What follows is part of the Obesity simplex ‘series’. You can access other related parts by clicking on the painting on the right hand top corner].
Everyone looks at their face, skin, hair and nails on a daily basis. The DCVHC introduced here is based on certain signs associated with those same structures that may be indicative of malnutrition.
Deficiency (lack, insufficiency) of one or more essential nutrients (vitamins, minerals, protein, essential fatty acids for example) constitutes malnutrition. Note that one may take in all nutrients in the recommended quantities and may be at the same time ‘malnourished’.
Causes (poor or faulty absorption and increased demand, for example) are numerous and need investigating by the proper channels.
Although the signs listed below may indicate or suggest malnutrition nevertheless they do have their limitations. Thus medical opinion should be sought if you think you may have observed any of them.
Whether one is on a ‘special’/ ‘slimming’ diet (or about to embark on one) or not, a DCVHC should form part of one’s daily routine.
Indeed it is considered to be an essential element of the RELIED 500Cal.Plan (see other parts of the Obesity simplex ‘series’).
Some physical signs associated with malnutrition (adapted from G. Christakis, 1973)
HAIR: -dull, dry, thin, sparse, fine, colour changes, easily plucked
FACE: -swollen; lumpiness or flakiness (scaling) of skin of nose and mouth
- darkening of cheeks and under the eyes
-scaling of skin around the nostrils
EYES: -paleness or redness, dryness of conjunctiva (delicate membrane lining the
eye ball and the under surface of the eyelid);
- Bitot’s spots (grey or white patches of keratin) may form on the conjunctiva.
-redness and fissuring (cracking) of eyelid corners
-dryness, dullness, softening, scarring of cornea (transparent anterior
covering of the eyeball)
-a ring of fine blood vessels may develop.
LIPS: - redness and swelling of mouth or lips especially at corners of mouth
SKIN: - swelling, excessive lightening or darkening, dryness, flakiness
-sand paper feel to the touch
-black and blue marks due to bleeding in the skin
-reddening and swelling of exposed areas
NAILS: - ridged, spoon shaped and brittle
