title: [What constitutes a balanced diet?].
abstract: The author cites the influence of both malnourishment and over-nourishment in regards to cardiovascular disease. The effects seen in the elderly are phenomenal. Individual maximal lifespan has been considerably prolonged; as a result, formerly untreatable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders (e.g., coronary artery disease, stroke) have attained primary significance in mortality. The mortality rate has hardly changed, but there is a later occurrence of death. The majority of coronary diseases in the former West Germany occur in the very old. There has been a constant decrease over the last 10 years in mortality from cardiovascular disorders in the age group up to 75 years. This entire development does not allow a correlation with nutritional cholesterol, namely, its being labeled "non-essential". The author describes the principles of a healthy, balanced diet in which, with average physical activity, carbohydrates should represent 57.7%, fats under 30%, and proteins 12.3%.
authors.affiliation: Abt. Ernährungsphysiologie, Universität Hohenheim.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Holtmeier
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate
vernacular_title: Was ist eine vernünftige Ernährung?