Nutritional Needs
Human Life Stages
A person's dietary needs change as he or she passes through the different stages of life from birth to childhood, to adulthood and eventually later life. Dietary needs change in terms of the amount (energy value) and type (nutritional content) of foods required for good health.
A person's dietary needs change as he or she passes through the different stages of life from birth to childhood, to adulthood and eventually later life. Dietary needs change in terms of the amount (energy value) and type (nutritional content) of foods required for good health.
1.Newborn babies - first 6 mths
Breast milk is the most natural food for newborn babies and provides a "total food" for a baby for up to about the first 6 mths of life.
In the first 12 months of life a baby's energy requirement can be up to 3 times (200% greater) than the proportional - to size - needs of an a typical adult. Similarly, a young baby's needs compared with that of an adult are estimated:
Breast milk is the most natural food for newborn babies and provides a "total food" for a baby for up to about the first 6 mths of life.
In the first 12 months of life a baby's energy requirement can be up to 3 times (200% greater) than the proportional - to size - needs of an a typical adult. Similarly, a young baby's needs compared with that of an adult are estimated:
2. Toddlers & Young Children (approx 1 - 11 years)
School children grow quickly and are generally very active. Their energy and nutritional requirements are therefore proportionally (by body mass) greater than those of adults.
School children grow quickly and are generally very active. Their energy and nutritional requirements are therefore proportionally (by body mass) greater than those of adults.
3. Puberty & Adolescence (approx 11 - 19 years)
Young people experience much physical development in the form of growth (increase in size and total mass) and other changes incl. e.g. hormonal during their pre-teen and teenage years. Their nutritional needs therefore differ from those of adults and are also different for male and female adolescents.
Young people experience much physical development in the form of growth (increase in size and total mass) and other changes incl. e.g. hormonal during their pre-teen and teenage years. Their nutritional needs therefore differ from those of adults and are also different for male and female adolescents.
- Energy requirement may be up to 80% higher than when adult
- Protein requirement may be up to 80% higher than when adult
- May need more vitamin C than when adult
- Females may have increased requirement for iron
- Males may have increased requirement for calcium - for thickening bones
4. Adulthood
The dietary requirements of a "normal" or "average" adult are the most often cited "typical" human dietary needs. However, there are variations - esp. re. energy requirement - between men and women, depending on body mass, and according to activity levels e.g. due to highly physical occupations or pursuits vs sedentary lifestyles. Overall, an adult's energy requirement may vary by 100% depending on such variables. See also metabolic rate.
The dietary requirements of a "normal" or "average" adult are the most often cited "typical" human dietary needs. However, there are variations - esp. re. energy requirement - between men and women, depending on body mass, and according to activity levels e.g. due to highly physical occupations or pursuits vs sedentary lifestyles. Overall, an adult's energy requirement may vary by 100% depending on such variables. See also metabolic rate.
5. Pregnancy
Pregnancy changes the proportions in which energy and some nutrients are required. Some changes include:
Pregnancy changes the proportions in which energy and some nutrients are required. Some changes include:
- 10% increase in energy requirement
- 10% increase in protein requirement
- 100% increase in vitamin C, calcium and folic acid requirements.
6. Lactation (Breast feeding mothers)
There are additional energy and nutritional requirements when breast feeding, e.g.
There are additional energy and nutritional requirements when breast feeding, e.g.
- 20% increase in protein and iron requirements
- 25% increase in energy requirement
- 25% increase in requirement for B vitamins
- 100% increase in requirement for vitamins A and C
- 150% increase in calcium requirement - so more vitamin D also needed
7. Later life, elderly people (60+ years, depending on general health)
Depending on their lifestyle activity level, elderly people may have reduced needs for energy (and associated B vitamins) and protein by 25-30%, or possibly more in the case of very sedentary lifestyles.
Due to their reduced energy requirement elderly people may naturally eat less than when they lead more active lives. If this reduction in quantity of food results in insufficient intake of natural vitamin C in fresh fruits and vegetables, elderly people may benefit from vitamin C supplements. Elderly people and especially elderly women may be found to be at risk of osteoporosis and so benefit from supplementation of calcium and vitamin D.
Depending on their lifestyle activity level, elderly people may have reduced needs for energy (and associated B vitamins) and protein by 25-30%, or possibly more in the case of very sedentary lifestyles.
Due to their reduced energy requirement elderly people may naturally eat less than when they lead more active lives. If this reduction in quantity of food results in insufficient intake of natural vitamin C in fresh fruits and vegetables, elderly people may benefit from vitamin C supplements. Elderly people and especially elderly women may be found to be at risk of osteoporosis and so benefit from supplementation of calcium and vitamin D.