nourished

Nourished is an adjective describing a state in which an individual or organism has received sufficient food and nutrients to support growth, energy, and health. In humans, being nourished typically implies a balance of calories and essential micronutrients, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, aligned with the body's needs for age, activity, and health status. The term is commonly used in discussions of dietary adequacy, public health, and clinical nutrition, and it contrasts with states described as undernourished, malnourished, or overnourished.

The word nourished derives from nourish, from Middle English nourissen, from Old French nourrir, ultimately from Latin nutrire, meaning to feed or foster growth. Its usage spans everyday language and formal health contexts, reflecting both physical condition and the sufficiency of nourishment received.

Actual nourishment depends on intake, digestion, absorption, and metabolism, as well as social and economic access to food. It is influenced by dietary quality, meal patterns, disease, medications, and conditions that affect appetite or nutrient utilization. In public and clinical health, assessments of nourishment may involve anthropometric measurements, dietary surveys, and laboratory indicators of nutrient status.

Maintaining adequate nourishment supports immune function, growth and development in children, cognitive performance, and the prevention of certain chronic diseases. Conversely, prolonged inadequate nourishment can lead to growth delays, anemia, fatigue, and increased susceptibility to infection, while excessive intake of energy or certain nutrients can contribute to obesity and related health risks.

Thus, nourishment is a multifaceted concept reflecting the balance between dietary intake, physiological needs, and environmental factors that affect the availability and utilization of nutrients.