The effects of television on children's intelligence and education Essay

The effects of television on children's intelligence and education - Essay Example The negative influence of television on children has by far outpaced the positive sides of the television programs. Shaffer indicates that students and children who spend much of their time watching television becomes inactive an inattentive in school (9). This effect attributes to the low concentration span of children that would have exhausted in the process of watching television. BBC cites that watching television also allows individual children very little time to interact with others thus becoming less social. Lack of social interaction among children denies the individual child precious opportunity to explore and think about forces that act on the environment and thus the retard cognitive development. This further lowers the level of creativity of an individual child leading to poor critical thinking and performance when it comes to class activities and assignments. Long hours of exposure to loud noises emanating from television and overconcentration of television programs have led to poor attention in class especially when there is background noise. Watching television makes individual children adapt to visual images that move at fast paces, and may distract their attention when it comes to class work. According to Gunter and McAleer, adaptation on fast-paced visual television pictures may also affect listening skills of an individual child considering their exposure to picture communication rather than vocal communication (14). Some television programs that involve violence and commercial shows involving advertisements of alcoholic products may convince an individual child to start leading immoral life. The diversion of child’s mentality to alcoholic products and violent activities may have very negative impact on the intellectuality of individual child. As pointed by Shaffer, watching television becomes addictive to children who would want to spend much

Conan Doyle Essay Example for Free

Conan Doyle Essay The final villain we are introduced to is Irene Adler. She is introduced during The Scandal in Bohemia and is a very unusual villain compared to the others. Conan Doyle presents her differently mainly because she is a woman. However Doyle was writing a head of his time as during his era women were looked upon as inferior to men yet she is the only villain to successfully outwit Holmes. She is also the only villain of the three who never uses aggression. She relies entirely on cunning and intelligence and manages to outwit Holmes very skilfully. She also completely changes Holmes opinion. Holmes originally believes her to be no different to any other villain. However by the end of the story she has gained his respect and In his eyes she eclipses and predominates the whole of her sex. This shows Holmes lack of respect for women and how he sees himself as superior. This is clear because he considers outwitting him an extremely impressive thing meaning he thinks himself better than other people. But Adler changes this. With her cunning she is able to defeat Holmes at his own game. And at the same time as being so good at what she does she hides it from everyday people with her appearance which makes her seem innocent. She was a lovely woman, with a face a man might die for. From that last bit a face a man might die for we can interpret it to mean she is very good at manipulating people. And we know that although she is beautiful she is ruthless. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the mind of the most resolute of men As well as showing her two different images of how she can be very clever and ruthless but also alluring this shows the contrast of men and women at the time. Showing how men were considered to be more resolute and cunning. We also know that her skills are enough to impress anyone even royalty. This is clear when the king says What a queen she would have made. On the other hand the king feels this from the beginning but Holmes is always unwilling to deem anyone to be equal to or greater than him does not change how he feels until the end. Holmes himself is quite different throughout the stories. In the speckled band he is a true hero. Not caring about personal gain working for the love of his art rather than the acquirement of wealth showing dedication to his work. And how he feels the feeling he gets from solving the mysteries is a better reward than any amount of money. However even here we see some of his darker side as he was able to see deeply into the manifest wickedness of the human heart. This suggests he has perhaps been there himself and is able to understand wickedness so well that there could be a side to him which is quite different to the hero presented to us. However no matter how dark he may seem sometimes, there is no denying his brilliance as a detective. His faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis mean he is always one step ahead. We also know that he is very observant and notices the smallest things. I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of your glove. You must have started early and yet you had a good drive in a dog cart along heavy roads. This shows he notices and observes everything and works things out that no one else could. However in the Copper Beaches he has become less of the helpful hero who would help anyone and anything. He considers himself better than others. His friend Watson was repelled by the egotism. Showing a completely different side of Holmes. He is egotistical and believes the rest of the world to be beneath him. The public, the great unobservant public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a compositor by his thumb. This shows that he believes himself to be better than anyone else and that the public are ignorant. Overall I think all the villains posses similar qualities but with key noticeable differences. They are all cunning and intelligence with Roylott being the only physically villainous one. And Adler being the only one successful in outwitting Holmes. Conan Doyle was writing ahead of his time by show Adler as equal to Holmes as women were looked upon as weaker at the time. As for Holmes himself we see he is not perhaps the true hero who can do no wrong he would appear in the Speckled Band. And even venturing in the worlds of drugs, which gives him darker apparel and make him more of an anti-hero.

Survey on Family life Essay -- essays research papers

Survey of Family Life A social institution is an organized pattern of beliefs and behaviors centered on basic human needs. Family is a major social institution in our society that controls how children are brought up, and are taught how to behave and act in the world. It is a major support system, and a guide to be introduced into our society. In our Society today, when people are asked what a family is, there are many different responses. Because of the media, people often associate what they think is a family is through their favorite television shows, books, and magazines. The problem with programs such as Family Ties, or the Cosby show is that they don’t always portray or provide realistic views. Through a survey given to ten random people at Merrimack College, I concluded that families differ in many ways whether it’s through marriage or divorce, decision making, and family unity. One type of family that is typically portrayed by the Media is the nuclear family. A nuclear family is a married couple and their unmarried children living together. From the nuclear family, many larger family groups can be formed. Demonstrated by my survey I found that the average nuclear family has about four members. My survey also showed that the amount of blood related siblings living in the same household was about two per family. Among the nuclear family there is also extended family, where relatives live in the same home as parents and their children. The results from my survey presented that not many people have extended family, but the extended family that does exist consists mainly of grandparents. There are advantages to the extended family over the nuclear family, such as more emotional, physical, and economical support for the family as a whole. In the television show Family Matters, extended family is demonstrated when the grandmother comes to live with â€Å"Winslows†. She was portrayed as a loving person who was always there to listen to her family’s problems. In this case of the media, we see that extended family is properly used. In the United States, most people would prefer the nuclear family as their family arrangement, but studies show that only one third of the population actually fulfills this model. Research has shown dramatic increase of divorce rates, and remarriages over the past 30 years. Through my survey taken at Merrimack College, results show ... ...estion that favored the female parent over the male was whose side of the family had preference over the other, and the results were mostly of matrilineal descent. Richardson, a feminist researcher, concluded that the family is the â€Å"source of a women’s strength† and I completely agree. The claim is in agreement with my survey seeing as how the mother is dominant in many aspects of family life. Along, with my conclusions with women being dominant in a family, I also acknowledged that the people who responded to my survey whose parents were divorced seemed to have a bitter outlook on their family life. They often used negative comments when answering if their kin was close or not, or who made decisions in the family. I believe that today’s society is falling into a downward spiral of divorce, separation, and remarriages, and in most cases are effecting the nuclear family negatively. Family should be a support system in your life, and not looked upon negati vely. In a forward direction, we see more egalitarian families emerging, and patriarchy’s declining. A family is in important social institution within our society and should be held highly within our kinship, and nuclear families.

Nature Essay -- Orangutans Primates Animals Essays

Nature "What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die from great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts, also happens to man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth." - Chief Seattle The love I have for orangutans comes from an early age. Like most little sisters, my older brother ruthlessly teased me. When I was a baby he would make me mimic funny faces and stick my hair up on end. He said I looked like an orangutan. His teasing continued, but instead of getting mad, I became interested. I began taking a look at these creatures and soon discovered that being compared to one wasn't completely wrong. Actually, orangutans have 97% of the same DNA as humans. So maybe my brother's teasing was not that far off, not that I'll mention that fact to him anytime soon! Orangutans are part of the Great Ape group that are the closest animals related to humans. Orangutans are unique in the ape world in that the other three types, gorillas, chimpanzees, and baboons, are all from Africa. Orangutans are the only apes to come from Asia. Another distinction of the orangutan is their hair, which is bright reddish brown instead of light brown or black like the other species. However, probably the biggest difference is that orangutans are the only arboreal apes. This means that they live primarily in the trees, while the other apes move along the forest ground. In fact, they are the largest animals in the world to dwell in trees. Orangutans used to live as far away as Thailand and Cambodia, but due to human encroachment, they are now only found in the wild in two of Indonesia's islands, Sum... ...f destruction humans have caused to this species. This is especially hard to understand when seeing what close connections humans have with them. It does not take a lot of time spent watching these animals to fall in love with them. While sitting and observing the orangutans at the Denver Zoo, I was amazed at the joy they brought to other visitors, adults and children alike. By slightly modifying our behavior and lifestyle, we can make a difference in the lives of these animals so that they can be seen not only behind glass at zoos, but in their rightful homes among the trees. Researched Sites Balikpapan Orangutan Society-- www.orangutan.com Orangutan Foundation International- www.orangutan.org Lecture Notes Smits, W. (2002, October 28). Saving the Orangutans. [Lecture]. In Lecture Series: Endangered Species. Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Fast Food Nation: Chapter Four Essay

â€Å"Becoming a franchisee is an odd combination of starting your own business and going to work for someone else† (Schlosser 94).In Eric Schlosser’s Non-fiction book, Fast Food Nation, Schlosser reasons that fast food has widened the gap between the rich and the poor, started an obesity epidemic and propelled American cultural imperialism abroad. While the idea of a franchiser/ franchisee relationship appears to be nothing but beneficial, it has a serious drawback, which is the release/ acceptance of certain issues out of each party’s control. This, in turn causes other companies to try to develop new ways of forming this relationship. Subway, for example uses â€Å"Development Agents† to help ease tensions. However due to this, the controversial issue of encroachment emerges. This leaves society asking at what price is success worth it? And how is success measured by these companies? The franchisee/ franchiser relationship has its benefits, but also one major downside which can cause conflicts and controversies. â€Å"At the heart of the franchise agreement is the desire by two parties to make money while avoiding risk† (Schlosser 94). In starting your own business, there is a huge financial risk. Even if you have an amazing idea it takes a lot of well managed money. Becoming a franchisee, though, while still costing a good amount of money, the risk is considerably smaller because the name, advertising and product is already out there. â€Å"One provides a brand name, a business plan, expertise, access to equipment and supplies. The other puts up the money and does the work† (Schlosser 94). Franchising makes it easier for companies to expand their market and profit from that. â€Å"The relationship has built-in tensions. The franchisor gives up some control while not wholly owning each operation; the franchisee sacrifices a great deal of independence by having to obey the companies rules† (Schlosser 94). When putting that amount of money and work into building a successful franchise it is frustrating when you can’t make any changes you want on your own. While there is a great deal of sacrifice, particularly on the side of the franchisee, bottom line, when the profits are rolling in everyone gets along just fine. Because the franchisee/franchisor relationship has built in tensions, it has led companies to explore new ways of forming this partnership. â€Å"The chain relies on â€Å"development agents† to sell new Subway franchises. The development agents are not paid salary †¦ [their] Income is largely dependent on the number of Subway’s that open in their territory† (Schlosser 100). These development agents are technically independent contractors who will try to open as many subways as possible, because the more they open the more they are paid. â€Å"They are under constant pressure to keep opening new Subway’s, regardless of how that effects the sales of subway’s that are already operating nearby† (Schlosser 100). Because they are independent contractors they don’t worry about how sales of other Subway’s are affected by their actions, in order to make money they need to keep opening franchises regardless of if they are making Subways across the street from other Subway restaurants. â€Å"As the American market for fast food grows more saturated, restaurants belonging to the same chain are frequently being put closer to one another. Franchises call this practice â€Å"encroachment† and angrily oppose it† (Schlosser 99). Although it may lead to a decrease in sales at the individual restaurants, the franchisors benefit from this practice that puts its franchisee’s out of business. While some can credit Subway for attempting to find new ways to form its relationships with its franchises, overall, its practices hurt its individual restaurants and make it one of the worst chains to be a franchisee for, long-term. Due to the harsh reality uncovered in this chapter, society is able to see how hard it is to become successful, whether it is as a franchisee or starting a company on your own. At a success seminar Dave Feamster took his employees to, a paralyzed but still upbeat and motivational Christopher Reeve’s said, â€Å"Since my accident, I’ve been realizing †¦ that success means something quite different† (Schlosser 107). Reeve’s is referencing the millions he made in his 20’s and that there may be more to success than that. â€Å"’I see people who achieve these conventional goals, he says †¦ ‘None of it matters† (Schlosser 107). This is such a powerful moment in the chapter, Schlosser is supposed to be attending a motivational seminar and yet readers walk away from it wondering, at what point success worth it is. If this man who was famous and beloved by America says he thinks he is irrelevant, what about us? In this chapter readers see that big companies measure their success in money and profits, but how should society measure it’s? The public education system might measure success in graduates or students that go on to college. But the great thing about this chapter is Christopher Reeve’s challenges the way you measure your success and leaves that up to the audience’s interpretation. â€Å"If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There’s no point in being a damn fool about it† (Brainy Quotes W.C. Fields). The franchisee/franchisor relationship while mostly beneficial, has its hindrances, which is each party sacrificing some control. As companies such as subway have explored new ways of forming this relationship, even more problems have emerged from this. Readers are left wondering at what price success is worth it, and how big companies measure their success. Works Cited Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation. New York: Perennial, 2002. Print. Book Rags Media Network.  © 2001 – 2011 Brainy Quote. < http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/wcfields108002.html>

Dónde tomar clases gratis para el examen de ciudadanía

Dà ³nde tomar clases gratis para el examen de ciudadanà ­a Los residentes permanentes legales pueden tomar clases gratis con numerosas organizaciones para estudiar los exmenes de inglà ©s y de conocimientos histà ³ricos y cà ­vicos, los cuales forman parte de los requisitos para adquirir la ciudadanà ­a estadounidense por el trmite de la  naturalizacià ³n. En este artà ­culo se listan 40 organizaciones - y sus respectivos nà ºmeros telefà ³nicos- ubicadas en los 12  estados con mayor poblacià ³n latina que brindan gratuitamente clases para la ciudadanà ­a. Adems, muchas de ellas tambià ©n ayudan para completar el formulario N-400, con el cual se inicia la tramitacià ³n de la solicitud de la naturalizacià ³n.   Los migrantes que residen en otros estados encontrarn, al final de este artà ­culo, un telà ©fono al que pueden marcar desde cualquier parte de Estados Unidos para solicitar informacià ³n sobre organizaciones locales que prestan este servicio. Finalmente, antes de presentar este documento se recomienda a todos los residentes permanentes verificar si califican para no pagar la tarifa correspondiente que, en la actualidad, es de $725, incluidos los $85 de la toma de los datos biomà ©tricos.  ¿Donde tomar clases gratis para examen de ciudadanà ­a? Todas las organizaciones que se listan a continuacià ³n forman parte de la campaà ±a para Nuevos Ciudadanos Americanos, liderada  por el Immigrant Legal Resource Center y del que forman parte asociaciones sin fines de lucro, fundaciones, organizaciones religiosas y despachos de abogados. Las organizaciones religiosas en este listado atienden a todos los migrantes;  es decir, no es necesario practicar su religià ³n para recibir este tipo de ayuda. Arizona International Rescue Committee. Tel: 602-433-2440Chicanos por la Causa. Tel: 602-257-0700. E-mail: infocplc.orgPromise ArizonaFriendly House. Tel: 602-416-7210. E-mail: evelynsfriendlyhouse.org, a la atencià ³n de Evelyn SenzCampesinos sin Frontera. Tel: 928-627-5995. En el condado de Yuma California Immigrant Legal Resource Center en el rea de Central Valley. Tel: 415-255-9499NALEO Educational Fund en la zona de Los AngelesInstituto Internacional del Area de la Bahà ­a, en zona de San Francisco. Tel. 415-538-8100 ext. 206Public Law Center, en el rea del condado de Orange. Tel: 714-541-1010Ready Now San Diego, en el rea de San Diego. Tel: 619-363-3423Services Immigrant Rights Educational Services, zona de Sillicon Valley. Tel: 408-453-3017 Carolina del Norte Carolina Refugee Resettlement Program. Tel: 704-535-8803  Insteep. Tel: 919-680-8000. Email: infoinstepp.orgLa Coalicià ³n. Tel: 888-839-8682. Cobra una pequeà ±a tarifa. Colorado Puede contactar a Colorado Immigrants Rights Coalition en: Denver.  Tel: 303-922-2244Montrose. Tel:970-249-4115 Florida Brevard Hispanic Center. Tel: 321-802-9516. Zona de Palm BayCatholic Legal Services. Tel: 305-372-1073 (Downtown Miami) y 305-887-8333 (Doral)Hispanic Services Council. Tel: 813-936-7700. TampaJustice Shall Be for All. Tel: 407-556-5955. Email: infojusticeshallbeforall.org. KissimmeeRedlands Christian Migrant Association. Tel: 800-282-6540. Area de Immokalee Georgia Catholic Charities of Atlanta. Tel: 770-790-3104GALEO. Tel: 885-54GALEOLatin American Association. Tel: 404-638-1800 (Atlanta), 404-702-0271 (Athens), 678-205-1018 (Lawrenceville)New American Pathways. Tel: 404-299-6099. Afiliada con el Church World Service and Episcopal Migration Ministries.Oficina del alcalde de Atlanta para Asuntos Migratorios. Email: welcomingatlantaatlantaga.gov Illinois Esperanza Legal Assistant Center. Tel: 309-732-0047Hispanic American Community Education and Services. Tel: 847-244-0300. Email: infohaces.orgIllinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Tel: 855-435-7693 Nueva York Catholic Migration Services. Tel: 728-236-3000 (Brooklyn), 347-472-3500 (Queens)CUNY Citizenship Now. Tel: 646-664-9400Dominicanos USA. Tel: 718-665-0400. Email: contactdominicanosusa.orgMake the Road New York. Tel: 718-418-7690Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights. Tel: 212-781-0355Oficina del Alcalde de Nueva York para Asuntos Migratorios. Tel: 212-788-7654Oficina del Estado de Nueva York para Nuevos Americanos. Tel: 1-800-566-7636 Nueva Jersey Make the Road New Jersey. Tel: 908-768-4991 Nuevo Mà ©xico New Mexico State University. Tel: 575-234-9280 (Carlsbad)Catholic Charities brinda ayuda a bajo costo en 2010 Bridge SW (Albuquerque) y en 1234 San Felipe Ave (Santa Fe) Texas American Gateways. Tel: 512-478-046, ext. 200 (Austin), 210-521-4768, ext. 232/233 (San Antonio), y 512-387-2650 (Waco)Catholic Charities of Dallas. Tel: 214-634-7182Catholic Charities of Galveston and Houston. Tel: 713-526-4611Proyecto Inmigrante. Tel: 888-793-2182. Oficinas en Dallas, Fort Worth y Wichita Falls Washington Colectiva Legal del Pueblo. Tel: 206-931-1514. Email: infocolectivalegal.orgOficina de Seattle para Inmigrantes y Refugiados. Tel: 202-727-8515.One America. Realizan Dà ­as de la Ciudadanà ­a por todo el estado. Adems, desde todos los estados se puede marcar a la Asociacià ³n Nacional de Oficiales Latinos Electos  (NALEO, por sus siglas en inglà ©s) al 888-839-8682. Esta là ­nea se atiende en inglà ©s y en espaà ±ol y se ofrece informacià ³n sobre otros centros cercanos adonde se puede acudir para solicitar ayuda en la preparacià ³n de los exmenes de inglà ©s, historia y conocimientos cà ­vicos para sacar la ciudadanà ­a estadounidense por naturalizacià ³n. Recursos en là ­nea para preparar el examen para la ciudadanà ­a Los residentes permanentes que consideren que es suficiente si estudian por sà ­ mismos, pueden practicar el examen en la pgina de la organizacià ³n Citizenship Works o en la pgina de UScitizenshipsupport.com. En ambas pginas se informa sobre las 100 preguntas de conocimientos cà ­vicos e historia que pueden ser preguntadas y tambià ©n se brindan tips memorà ­sticas para facilitar recordar las respuestas correctas el dà ­a del examen. Tambià ©n se ofrece informacià ³n prctica sobre quà © esperar el dà ­a de la entrevista y examen. Asimismo, en la pgina del Servicio de Inmigracià ³n y Ciudadanà ­a (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglà ©s) se brinda material para practicar el examen cà ­vico y el de inglà ©s. Es de interà ©s verificar siempre esta pgina porque actualiza posibles cambios a las preguntas. Por ejemplo, los nombres del presidente, vicepresidente,  partido en el gobierno y representantes locales ante el Congreso. Informacià ³n prctica sobre el examen para ciudadanà ­a por naturalizacià ³n Como regla general, actualmente la cita para presentarse al examen de inglà ©s y conocimientos histà ³ricos y cà ­vicos tiene lugar entre 6 y 8 meses despuà ©s de la presentacià ³n de los papeles. El examen, salvo casos excepcionales por edad o enfermedad o discapacidad, deber rendirse siempre y en inglà ©s. El mismo dà ­a tiene lugar la entrevista.   Si el migrante reprueba el examen, deber repetirlo. USCIS enviar una carta con una nueva cita entre 60 y 90 dà ­as despuà ©s.  Si de nuevo reprueba, la peticià ³n de naturalizacià ³n se negar y se deber iniciar desde cero un nuevo proceso de naturalizacià ³n y pagar una nueva tarifa. Por el contrario, si el migrante pasa el examen y la entrevista, como regla general jurar como ciudadano estadounidense entre 1 y 4 semanas despuà ©s de haber aprobado dicho examen. Es recomendable no viajar fuera de Estados Unidos desde la fecha en la que se aprueba el examen y la de juramentacià ³n y, si se hace, que sea por un corto periodo de tiempo. Finalmente, a la hora de adquirir la nacionalidad americana es  importante conocer las ventajas y derechos que se adquieren con esta ciudadanà ­a. Uno de los beneficios no muy conocido es que en promedio los ciudadanos ganan a lo largo de su vida laboral un 11 por ciento ms que los residentes permanentes legales.   Tambià ©n se puede votar en elecciones federales. Para ejercer el derecho al voto es necesario registrarse previamente segà ºn las leyes del estado en el que se reside. Puntos Clave: clases gratis para la ciudadanà ­a por naturalizacià ³n. Los residentes permanentes legales pueden nacionalizarse y adquirir la ciudadanà ­a  estadounidense mediante el trmite de la naturalizacià ³n.Los exmenes de inglà ©s leà ­do y escrito y de conocimientos histà ³ricos y cà ­vicos es parte del trmite de naturalizacià ³n.Numerosas organizaciones brindan clases gratis para ayudar a los migrantes a aprobar dichos  exmenes.NALEO Educational Fund es la coordinara nacional de muchas de  esas organizaciones a travà ©s de la Campaà ±a Citizenship Works. Este es un artà ­culo informativo. No es asesorà ­a legal.

Fundamental Clinical and Interpersonal Skills for Practice essayEssay Writing Service

Fundamental Clinical and Interpersonal Skills for Practice essayEssay Writing Service Fundamental Clinical and Interpersonal Skills for Practice essay Fundamental Clinical and Interpersonal Skills for Practice essayIt is known that nutrition plays a vital role in the life of any individual. Nurses should effectively apply their nutrition knowledge to every day eating plans of patients.   Nutrition should provide sufficient fuel for physical activity, mental activity and other processes. Actually, human life is impossible without nourishment of food. In this paper, different areas related to eating and drinking will be discussed. Special attention will be paid to the explanation of the meaning of nutrition, the overview of the key nutritional requirements of adults, the major physical, psychological and social factors that affect the activity of eating and drinking, as well as to the assessment of the risk of malnutrition of patients in hospitals, the major types of feeding support that may be given to patients and the role of the nurse in supporting patients with the human need to eat and drink.The overview of different areas rel ated to eating and drinking   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In order to be a good nutrition professional, it is very important to have sufficient knowledge and understanding of different areas related to eating and drinking.Definition of the term â€Å"nutrition† The term â€Å"nutrition† can be defined as â€Å"the science of food† that involves various nutrients, and other substances, as well as their action. According to Michelle McGuire and Kathy Beerman(2012),â€Å"the term nutrition refers to the science of how living organisms obtain and use food to support all the processes required for their existence† (p. 5).   In other words, nutrition includes the processes of ingestion, digestion, absorption, transportation, utilization and excretion of various types of food substances. Nutrition and hydration affect homeostasis, which allows the required metabolic substances, such as oxygen and nutrients, to enter cells and influence the proce ss of excretion of waste products (Debnath, 2009, p. 105).The key nutritional requirements of adultsAdults require nutrient intake with adequate amount of nutrients to reduce the existing age-related risk of chronic diseases. It has been found that â€Å"older adults require less food than younger adults† (McGuire Beerman, 2012, p. 25). Nutrition requirements in patients include energy intake up to 35 kcal/kg (glucose and lipids), protein intake, vitamins, and minerals.   Not all adults have the same nutritional requirements. Specific nutritional requirements are connected with diseases or physical activity. For example, older adults should eat more Vitamin D, pregnant women should eat iron- and Ca- rich food, as well as Vitamin C food. Adults over 50 should eat food with B12 (Leonard, Robertson, 2005; Drewnowski Warren-Mears, 2001).The major physical, psychological and social factors that affect the activity of eating and drinkingThe activity of eating and drinking is i nfluenced by some physical, psychological and social factors. Some physical factors that have a strong impact on patients’ activity of eating and drinking include functional disability from any chronic disease or injury and physiological altercations of patients’ physical capacity to eat and drink without support. Psychological factors include depression, psychological problems, mental health problems, etc. There are many social factors that affect nutrition, including economic status, environmental conditions (high temperature, humidity, etc.), advertising campaigns, etc. (Williams Hopkins, 2005, p. 1278).Assessment of the risk of malnutrition of patients in hospitalsThe major goal of the assessment of nutrition in hospitals is to define the nutritional status of patients, paying due attention to clinically relevant malnutrition that can be found in today’s clinical environment.   According to researchers, malnutrition of patients in hospitals stands for the â€Å"state of altered nutrition status that is associated with an increased risk of adverse clinical events such as complications or death† (Gibson, 2005, p. 809). Protein and energy malnutrition has been frequently found in hospital patients; therefore, many tests are developed to assess protein and energy malnutrition. These tests include dietary, functional and anthropometric indices, as well as static biochemical indices of nutritional status. Today many hospitals use nutrition screening to assess of the risk of malnutrition of patients in hospitals (Kyle et al., 2006). The patients most at risk of malnutrition in hospitals are elderly people, people with disabilities, young children, etc. Today hospitals employ Registered Dieticians and Nutritionists to carry our comprehensive assessments of the risk of malnutrition of patients in hospitals.   The malnutrition may lead to the increase of gastrointestinal dysfunction, causing infections and various chronic diseases, e .g. anorexia and asthenia. According to Kyle and colleagues (2006), â€Å"maintaining or improving the nutritional status of patients admitted to hospital will likely improve clinical outcomes and help contain health care costs† (p. 409).The major types of feeding support that may be given to patientsThe major types of feeding support that may be given to patients include oral feeding, tube feeding (or enteral nutrition), and parenteral nutrition. Oral feeding is appropriate for non-critically ill patients, while tube feeding and parenteral nutrition is suitable for critically ill patients. These types of feeding approaches may be used in different situations, but both of them ensure support of patients’ immune system and help to reduce complications (Hicksona et al., 2004; Rolfes et al., 2011).The role of the nurse in supporting patients with the human need to eat and drinkThe nurse plays an important role in supporting patients with the human need to eat and drink. T he nurse not only monitors, supports and assesses patients with the human need to eat and drink, but also educated them. The nurse who takes care of patients with serious complications resulting from dietary indiscretion must â€Å"avoid harsh, judgmental and punitive tones when communicating with him or her† (OConnell et al., 2010, p. 1336). Nurses should understand the key principles of nutrition assessment and screening procedures, consider the key factors that affect malnutrition, as well as normal eating and drinking, and have an understanding of the major types of nutritional support required by patients. Nurses should recognize their professional responsibilities concerning patients’ nutrition and feeding. According to the NMC (2007) Essential Skills Cluster, nutrition and fluid management are identified as â€Å"fundamental skills in which all nurses must be competent† (Debnath, 2009, p. 105). Finally, the role of the nurse in supporting patients with th e human need to eat and drink should guarantee adequate nutrition in a dignified respectful, holistic manner.ConclusionThus, it is necessary to conclude that food is vital for human life as it provides the appropriate nutrients necessary for sustaining the key body functions and physical activity. Patients should have due nursing care and assistance to perform the function of eating and drinking. Nurses play an important role in ensuring patients’ needs and provide them with adequate nutrition. Good nutrition is required for patients’ health as it promoted fats recovery from various illnesses and diseases. Nurses should be ready to educate patients about eating and drinking to ensure optimal health.