Circumstances that lead to special Food Needs
Nutritional requirements are different at each stage of the life cycle. The stages of the human life cycle are:
Infancy
Is the stage of the life cycle from birth to 12 months of age. Nutrition is important during this time, as rapid growth and development take place. A well balanced diet id required for the total development of the child. After 3-6 months of thriving on breast or formula milk every 2-3 hours, a baby may need some solid food for extra nutrients. From about 6 months of age babies also need texture in their food to encourage them to chew and develop the muscles that will be required for speech. From the very first time a baby is offered food other than milk, the process of weaning has started. It is important not to introduce solid food too early as the digestive system and kidneys are not developed enough to cope with food.
Childhood (1-2 Years)
During childhood there are increasing energy and nutrient needs. Some children are more active than others and may require more complex carbohydrates to meet energy needs. Healthy eating habits developed in childhood will lay the foundations for healthy eating habits in adulthood. Healthy eating may reduce the risk of nutrition related disorders in the future. Many Australian children are suffering from obesity to the point where it has almost become an epidemic. Too many children come home from school and sit in front of the television or computer rather than run around and play with friends. This combined with a poor diet can lead to children becoming overweight or obese.
Adolescence (12-20 Years)
The teenage years are a time of rapid growth and development, when adolescents need more energy. Rapidly growing bones also need plenty of calcium. The increase in body tissue and hence blood volume in boys and the onset of menstruation in girls means that extra iron is needed by both sexes. There is an increased need for:
Adulthood
At this stage in the lifecycle, growth has usually stopped and activity levels have stabilised or declined. If a balanced diet is consumed all nutrients for good health will be maintained. Adults need to ensure that their energy intake balances their energy outputs that weight gain is avoided. By middle age approximately 50% of Australians are overweight, due to a combination of high kilojoule or calorie intake and decreased physical activity. The dietary guidelines for Australian adults have been developed to encourage healthy lifestyles that minimise the risk of developing diet related diseases.
Pregnancy
In pregnancy, a woman's diet must provide all the nutrients required for the development of the embryo and foetus. This is why it is important for the mother to have a well balanced, nutritious diet established prior to her becoming pregnant. A developing foetus does not use a lot of energy, so a large amount of extra food is not necessary. A pregnant mother requires:
Lactation
When a woman is breast-feeding she is said to be lactating. An increase in nutrients, specifically protein, vitamins and minerals, is essential at this time as the mother is producing the food requirements for her newborn child. This production of breast milk is known as lactation. Breast milk is high in energy and is a complete nutritious food source for most babies up until the age of 6 months. Breast milk provides perfect nutrition and important substances for protection against infection, and is easily digested by an infant. The first substance to come from the breast is a substance called colostrum, which is rich in antibodies, proteins and minerals but has less sugar and fat than the milk that follows.
The Aged
Australians are living longer than ever before. In 2008, around 13% of Australia's population was aged 65 and over; by 2056 this figure is expected to be between 23 and 25%. Good nutrition and an active lifestyle are vital in maintaining the well-being and health of older people. Older Australians, particularly those living alone, can lose the motivation to prepare meals for themselves and this can lead to malnutrition. While appetite and energy requirements generally decease, a balanced diet is important. Attention should be paid to specific nutrients such as protein, calcium, iron, and vitamin C. Being overweight or obese may become a problem unless sufficient exercise is undertaken. The nutritional needs for older people have been recognised through the development of the following specific guidelines for healthy independent Australians aged 65 years and over.
- Infancy
- Childhood
- Adolescence
- Adulthood
- Pregnancy
- Lactation
Infancy
Is the stage of the life cycle from birth to 12 months of age. Nutrition is important during this time, as rapid growth and development take place. A well balanced diet id required for the total development of the child. After 3-6 months of thriving on breast or formula milk every 2-3 hours, a baby may need some solid food for extra nutrients. From about 6 months of age babies also need texture in their food to encourage them to chew and develop the muscles that will be required for speech. From the very first time a baby is offered food other than milk, the process of weaning has started. It is important not to introduce solid food too early as the digestive system and kidneys are not developed enough to cope with food.
Childhood (1-2 Years)
During childhood there are increasing energy and nutrient needs. Some children are more active than others and may require more complex carbohydrates to meet energy needs. Healthy eating habits developed in childhood will lay the foundations for healthy eating habits in adulthood. Healthy eating may reduce the risk of nutrition related disorders in the future. Many Australian children are suffering from obesity to the point where it has almost become an epidemic. Too many children come home from school and sit in front of the television or computer rather than run around and play with friends. This combined with a poor diet can lead to children becoming overweight or obese.
Adolescence (12-20 Years)
The teenage years are a time of rapid growth and development, when adolescents need more energy. Rapidly growing bones also need plenty of calcium. The increase in body tissue and hence blood volume in boys and the onset of menstruation in girls means that extra iron is needed by both sexes. There is an increased need for:
- energy for functioning of the body
- protein for growth and repair
- vitamins for maintenance, health and development
- minerals, especially calcium, phosphorous and iron
Adulthood
At this stage in the lifecycle, growth has usually stopped and activity levels have stabilised or declined. If a balanced diet is consumed all nutrients for good health will be maintained. Adults need to ensure that their energy intake balances their energy outputs that weight gain is avoided. By middle age approximately 50% of Australians are overweight, due to a combination of high kilojoule or calorie intake and decreased physical activity. The dietary guidelines for Australian adults have been developed to encourage healthy lifestyles that minimise the risk of developing diet related diseases.
Pregnancy
In pregnancy, a woman's diet must provide all the nutrients required for the development of the embryo and foetus. This is why it is important for the mother to have a well balanced, nutritious diet established prior to her becoming pregnant. A developing foetus does not use a lot of energy, so a large amount of extra food is not necessary. A pregnant mother requires:
- a good supply of protein for the growth of new cells
- additional calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D to assist bone and teeth formation
- B group vitamins, which aid the metabolism of carbohydrates
- iron and folate to prevent anaemia
- increased fibre to prevent constipation
- 6-8 glasses of water per day
Lactation
When a woman is breast-feeding she is said to be lactating. An increase in nutrients, specifically protein, vitamins and minerals, is essential at this time as the mother is producing the food requirements for her newborn child. This production of breast milk is known as lactation. Breast milk is high in energy and is a complete nutritious food source for most babies up until the age of 6 months. Breast milk provides perfect nutrition and important substances for protection against infection, and is easily digested by an infant. The first substance to come from the breast is a substance called colostrum, which is rich in antibodies, proteins and minerals but has less sugar and fat than the milk that follows.
The Aged
Australians are living longer than ever before. In 2008, around 13% of Australia's population was aged 65 and over; by 2056 this figure is expected to be between 23 and 25%. Good nutrition and an active lifestyle are vital in maintaining the well-being and health of older people. Older Australians, particularly those living alone, can lose the motivation to prepare meals for themselves and this can lead to malnutrition. While appetite and energy requirements generally decease, a balanced diet is important. Attention should be paid to specific nutrients such as protein, calcium, iron, and vitamin C. Being overweight or obese may become a problem unless sufficient exercise is undertaken. The nutritional needs for older people have been recognised through the development of the following specific guidelines for healthy independent Australians aged 65 years and over.
- Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods
- Keep active to maintain muscle strength and a healthy body weight
- Eat at least 3 meals every day
- Care for your food- prepare and store it correctly
- Eat plenty of vegetables (including legumes) and fruit
- Eat plenty of cereals, breads and pastas
- Eat a diet low in saturated fat
- Drink adequate amounts of water and other non sugared fluids
- If you drink alcohol limit your intake
- Chose foods low in salt and use salt sparingly
- Include foods high in calcium
- Use added sugars in moderation
Nutritional Requirements of Different Stages of the Lifecycle
One of the main reasons our food needs change is because we progress through the different stages of the lifecycle, each requiring specific nutrient needs. For example, the nutritional needs of a growing adolescent are very different to the nutritional needs of an elderly person. . We will look more closely at food for adolescents and food for adulthood over the next few weeks.
Task 1.
Complete the column below
Task 1.
Complete the column below
Stages of the Lifecycle
1. Infancy 2. Childhood 3. Adolescence 4. Adulthood 5. Pregnancy/ lactation 6. The Aged |
Special Nutritional Requirements
1. From birth- liquid diet, milk every 2 hours. From 3-6months soft easily digested food. Milk supplement continues up until 2 years of age |
Task 2.
Choose one of the life cycle stages and research the nutritional needs for that particular life stage. Present your findings to the class.
(click on images to display larger file size)
Choose one of the life cycle stages and research the nutritional needs for that particular life stage. Present your findings to the class.
(click on images to display larger file size)
Food For Adolescence
Task 3
1. Complete the passage below.
2. Use the remaining words in the word bank to formulate questions for the person next to you
Word bank
1. Complete the passage below.
2. Use the remaining words in the word bank to formulate questions for the person next to you
Word bank
girls
popular development cheap growth yummy |
boys
changes peers reduce adequate friends |
home
nutritious away bad increase 13-18 |
Adolescence describes the years from ..... It is one of the rapid stages of ...... Girls seem to develop earlier than ...., but somewhere between this time they will develop physically and this will require lots of energy. It is important to have an ........ food supply during this time of growth and it is just as important to ...... the food intake when the growth slows down.
The lifestyle of the adolescent ....... as parents and teachers have less influence on them and ....... become more important. It is often here that ... food habits may develop. More evening meals are being eaten .... .... .... Fast food outlets are ..... and ..... and usually full of fatty foods.
Bad habits that may be in adolescence' diet include:
Nutrients likely to be lacking are:
Pregnancy in adolescents compounds nutritional requirements, not only do they need to eat for their own growth but also for the baby. If the mothers diet is poor or she decides to experiment with fad diets the health of both the mother and the baby are in jeopardy. Essential foods are dark green vegetables, yellow vegetables, citrus fruit, eggs and animal protein.
Task 4.
Health Problems Associated with Diet in Adolescents
Anorexia/Bulimia, Alcoholism, Overweight/Underweight, Acne, Anemia, are all health problems associated with adolescence.
For each of these:
The lifestyle of the adolescent ....... as parents and teachers have less influence on them and ....... become more important. It is often here that ... food habits may develop. More evening meals are being eaten .... .... .... Fast food outlets are ..... and ..... and usually full of fatty foods.
Bad habits that may be in adolescence' diet include:
- Missed breakfast, leading to high calorie, low nutrient snacks during the morning
- Frequenting fast food chains e.g.: McDonalds
- Consuming too much sugared drinks for example soft drinks, fruit juices, flavoured milks
Nutrients likely to be lacking are:
- Calcium (for bone and tooth development), found in milk and milk products
- Iron (for blood), found in green leafy vegetables, liver and meat
- Iodine, found in iodised salt, vegetables and seafood
- Vitamin C, found in fruits and vegetables
Pregnancy in adolescents compounds nutritional requirements, not only do they need to eat for their own growth but also for the baby. If the mothers diet is poor or she decides to experiment with fad diets the health of both the mother and the baby are in jeopardy. Essential foods are dark green vegetables, yellow vegetables, citrus fruit, eggs and animal protein.
Task 4.
Health Problems Associated with Diet in Adolescents
Anorexia/Bulimia, Alcoholism, Overweight/Underweight, Acne, Anemia, are all health problems associated with adolescence.
For each of these:
- Describe the symptoms of a person who has this problem
- Discuss how good dietary practices may be able to prevent or cure the problem
- Discuss why this problem is evident in adolescents