Nutrition Chapters 18 & 19

Nutrition: Chapters 18 & 19

• Life Cycle Nutrition: Addresses nutrient needs for toddlers through older adults.

• Learning Outcomes: Chapter 18 focuses on nutrient needs for toddlers through adolescence; Chapter 19 focuses on nutrient needs of older adults.

Young Children (Toddlers & Preschoolers)

• Feeding Habits: Parents should avoid encouraging children to eat more than they need; serve appropriate portion sizes using child-sized plates and cups. Offer bite-sized pieces of food to prevent choking hazards. Avoid items like hot dogs, nuts, chunks of meat, whole grapes, hard candy, popcorn, or raw vegetables. Children should eat while seated.

• Nutrient Needs: Adequate macronutrients and micronutrients (calcium, iron, vitamin D) are vital for growth and development. Sufficient fluids, primarily water, are also important; monitor milk intake and limit sugary drinks. Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency among young children (6 months - 3 years). Iron toxicity can occur from excessive dietary supplements or medications.

School-Aged Children

• Age: 6 to 12 years.

• Nutritional Factors: Food choices guide food choices, with MyPlate; the majority of children need to eat more fruits and vegetables. Food allergies are a concern, and poverty influences nutritional status. School lunches are important components and breakfast is vital.The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) serves nutritious, low-cost, or free lunches to low-income children and follows specific nutrient guidelines. Children participating in the NSLP show lower intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages and consume less low-nutrient dense foods.

Adolescents (9 to 19 years)

• Nutritional Needs: A healthy diet is necessary to ensure sufficient kilocalories and nutrient intake, especially calcium, Vitamin D, and iron.

• Nutritional Intake: Adolescents desire control of their food and lifestyle decisions. Social factors (family, peers, media) influence health habits. Disordered eating is linked with poor body image, low self-esteem, emotional issues, or peer pressure. Teens often skip meals, use food substitutes, take diet pills or nutritional supplements, or purge. Establishing good eating habits early is important.

Older Adults

• Nutrient Needs: The Dietary Reference Intakes for Older Adults considers specific needs for adults over 50 years of age, especially males and females 51 years of age and older.

• Dietary Changes: Increased protein intake is recommended; sufficient quantities of nutrient-dense foods, especially complex carbohydrates, are needed. Unsaturated fats are preferred as part of the dietary fat intake; high levels of sodium should be limited; adequate fluid intake is crucial.

• Hydration: Older adults need to stay hydrated, as their body's ability to conserve water decreases with age and their thirst mechanism lessens. Chronic diseases, and some medications, may increase dehydration risk. Urinary incontinence is also a factor. It is recommended to drink 13 cups of fluid per day.

• Nutritional Supplements: 35% of older adults use supplements to help prevent deficiencies, improve health, and delay age-related chronic diseases. Some medical conditions and medications may deplete certain nutrients, needing dietary supplements even if appetites are normal. Consulting a healthcare provider is crucial for any supplement use.