RUNNING HEAD: DIETARY NEEDS

Dietary Needs

Name: Nordiea Miller-Younge

Name of course: Advanced Integrated Science

Institution: The Mico University College

Date: March 02, 2017

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DIETARY NEEDS

What is a diet?

According to Rose, I. (n.d.) a balanced diet is food intake that not only includes all the

dietary needs of the organism (person), but includes the required dietary components, of

water, carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fibre, in the correct proportions.

Our nutritional needs change with different 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 nutritional content of foods required for good health.

To be fit and healthy, it is important to take into account the extra demands placed on the

body by these changes.

In order to meet the regular nutritional needs of a normal healthy person, their diet

should contain: a wide variety of nutritious foods ,water on a daily basis, enough kilojoules for

energy (carbohydrates is the preferred source), essential fatty acids from foods such as oily fish,

nuts, avocado, adequate protein for cell maintenance and repair , fat-soluble and water-soluble

vitamins , essential minerals such as iron, calcium and zinc and foods containing plant-derived

phytochemicals, which may protect against heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, arthritis and

osteoporosis. A varied diet that concentrates on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, dairy

foods and lean meats can meet these basic requirements, Willett W. (2001).

Dietary needs as it relates to specific activities

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DIETARY NEEDS

For a particular person, a healthy diet may vary substantially from what is recommended

in standard diets. This is what is called a Special diet or specialized diet. A special or specialized

diet is a diet a person voluntarily chooses or those that they are forced to choose due to medical

conditions, occupation, age or gender. For example, persons with nutritional deficiency diseases,

new-born babies, toddlers and the elderly, athletes, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers, all

require specialized diets, Gong, M.( n.d).

Medical condition

A nutritional deficiencies, also known as malnutrition, is a medical conditional which

occurs when the body doesnt absorb the necessary amount of a nutrient. Nutritional deficiencies

can lead to a variety of health problems. These can include problems of digestion, skin problems,

stunted or defective bone growth, and even dementia. Children are more at risk for serious

complications due to nutritional deficiencies than adults.

The amount of each nutrient you should consume depends on your age. Today, many

foods that you buy in the grocery store (such as cereals, bread, and milk) are fortified with

nutrients that are necessary to prevent nutritional deficiency. You can prevent nutritional

deficiencies by making sure you get enough nutrients from your diet.

Dietary needs due to occupation

Consuming the right balance of food and drink is important for everyone. However for

persons who are engaged in highly active or stressful job or actively participating in sport on a

regular basis need to be aware that it can also affect their performance. Athletes, for example,

need more calories than the average person.

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DIETARY NEEDS

Active persons such as athletes need; Fats, protein and carbohydrates to provide their

body with the fuel that they need to maintain energy. Carbohydrates are the primary fuel used by

working muscles. Adequate intake is essential for preventing muscle fatigue. Similarly to a

regular diet Athletes have to monitor their fat intake, they cannot remove it from their diet

completely because Fats provide fatty acids that can be used as a source of energy - especially if

their exercise sessions last longer than one hour. Fats also provide the building blocks for

hormones and formation of cell walls. Protein can be used as a source of energy and is critical for

building new muscle tissue. Different types of sporting activities require more of some nutrients

for example; if you are taking part in resistance training, your body will require additional

protein, Gong, M. (n.d).

Diet due to age

Babies usually double their length and triple their weight between birth and one year of

age. Breast milk generally supplies a baby with the required amounts of nutrients, fluids and

energy up to about six months of age.

A young baby's needs compared with that of an adult are estimated to be three times

higher: Toddlers & Young Children (approx 1 - 11 years) School children grow quickly and are

generally very active. During childhood, children tend to vary their food intake (spontaneously)

to match their growth patterns. Childrens food needs vary widely, depending on their growth

and their level of physical activity. Like energy needs, a childs needs for protein, vitamins and

minerals increase with age.

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DIETARY NEEDS

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. 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, and males may have increased requirement for calcium - for thickening bones, Haines, C.,

MD. (2013, April 4).

Seniors have very different nutritional needs than teenagers, children, and even middle-

aged adults. Age-related changes can affect how your body processes food, which influences

your dietary needs and affects your appetite. Elderly persons tend to move around less so they

need to consume fewer calories to maintain a healthy weight. In this case vitamin B12 and fibre

are essential to them as good supplements, because their digestive system doesnt work as well

as before. Vitamin B12 is important for elderly persons because it is normally absorbed in the

intestines, its function may decline with age or disease. Fibre is an important part of their diet

because they are more likely to develop constipation and it helps to move the digestive content

along the intestinal tract a bit better, Denton, C. n.d..

Diet due to gender

Men and women both require a nutritious diet for long-term health, but your gender plays

a role in the amount of nutrients you need. Consuming the right proportions of nutrients helps

you to manage your weight and supports your bodys functions. In most cases, men and women

require similar proportions of nutrients, but there are a few notable exceptions; females need
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DIETARY NEEDS

more of some Minerals and Vitamins (Iron and Calcium due to blood loss from the monthly

menstrual cycle and a thinner bone structure, Foliate due to pregnancy) Men require more calorie

than woman due to their, height, muscle mass and activity level. Muscle burns more calories than

fat, so people with more muscle require more calories. Both genders need some fat for vitamin

absorption, brain function and energy.

Pregnant woman should concentrate on increasing her nutrient intake, particularly in the

first and second trimesters. Breastfeeding mothers need a significant amount of extra energy to

cope with the demands of breastfeeding. This extra energy should come in the form of nutrient-

dense foods to help meet the extra nutrient requirements, Weil, A. (2005).

References

Denton, C. n.d.What Should I Eat for My Specific Condition?. What Should I Eat for My
Specific Condition? | Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing. Retrieved February 22,
2017, from https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/what-should-i-eat-my-specific-
condition#

Gong, M. n.d.Sports nutrition. Sports Nutrition - Nutritionist Resource. Retrieved February 23,
2017, from http://www.nutritionist-resource.org.uk/articles/sports-nutrition.html

Haines, C., MD. (2013, April 4). Food and your life stages. The Nutrition Needs of Senior
Citizens | Everyday Health. Retrieved March 14, 2017, from
http://www.everydayhealth.com/senior-health/understanding/diet-and-aging-gaining-a-
nutritional-edge.aspx

Rose, I. n.d.Dietary needs for different life stages. Dietary Needs for Different Life Stages.
Retrieved February 25, 2017, from
http://www.ivyroses.com/HumanBiology/Nutrition/Dietary-needs-life-stages.php

Weil, A. (2005). Healthy Aging. New York: Alfred Knopf.

Willett W. (2001). Eat Drink and be Healthy. New York: Simon & Schuster.
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DIETARY NEEDS

Foods and Their Nutritional Content

Cremy Wheat Cereal

This cereal can be recommended for children, pregnant women and the elderly, as it is

fortified with vitamins and minerals (Niacin, Iron, Thiamine, Riboflavin and Folic acid) it is low

if fats, saturated fats, calories and sodium.

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DIETARY NEEDS

Even though this is a nutritious product it would not be recommended for persons who are highly

active due to its low carbohydrate content.

Bettys Sweetened Condensed Milk

This product can be recommended for children (because it is a good source of Calcium,

Protein and Carbohydrates) and highly active persons who are in need of a high level of energy.

Due to its high sodium and sugar content, it is not recommended for persons with Diabetes or

hypertension.