Resumen

BOLET ASTOVIZA, Miriam. Some philosophical problems of nutrition: ethics in the patient's nutritional care. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 2004, vol.20, n.1. ISSN 0864-2125.

This paper deals with some philosophical problems of nutrition, mainly with the ethics in the nutritional attention given to the patients. Emphasis is made on their nutritional evaluation through the medical and dietetic history, the anthropometric measures and the biochemical tests indicated. A review of malnutrition and obesity, clinical picture, staging, nutritional treatment and of the psychological support given in these cases in order to attain changes in the life style of these patients is made. Ethics is always present in their treatment. The physician-patient relation as well as the assessment of the psychical and social context are emphasized. It is concluded that man is a biopsychosocial system. Recommendations are made on insisting on the bioethical aspects in the treatment with the patients and on the promotion of healthy life styles and patterns.

Palabras clave : Obesity; physician-patient relation; biopsychosocial system.