Life Cycle: From Childhood

Through Adulthood

Chapter

17

Childhood

• Energy and nutrient needs during childhood• Energy and protein

• Kcal and grams protein per kg decrease from infancy

• Vitamins and minerals• Vitamin and mineral

supplements• Influences on childhood food

habits and intake

Childhood

• Nutritional concerns during childhood• Malnutrition and hunger

• Food and behavior• Childhood overweight• Nutrition and chronic disease in childhood• Lead toxicity

• Vegetarianism in childhood

Adolescence

• Physical growth and development• Adolescent growth spurt

• Boys: begins between 12–13 years• Gain about 8 inches in height, 45 pounds in weight

• Girls: begins between 10–11 years• Gain about 6 inches in height, 35 pounds in weight

• Body composition• Emotional maturity: developmental tasks

Adolescence

• Nutrient needs of adolescents• Energy and protein

• Highest total calories and protein grams per day

• Vitamins and minerals• Influences on

adolescent food intake

Adolescence

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Adolescence

• Nutrition-related concerns of adolescents• Fitness and sports• Acne• Eating disorders• Adolescent obesity• Tobacco, alcohol, recreational drugs

Staying Young While Growing Older• Age-related changes

• Weight and body composition• Add fat, lose lean body mass

• Physical activity• Reduced muscle and skeletal strength

• Immunity• Decline in defense mechanism

• Taste and smell• Decline in ability

• Gastrointestinal changes• Reduced acid secretion, reduced motility

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Nutrient Needs of the Mature Adult

• Energy• Reduced needs

• Decreased activity, decreased lean body mass

• Protein• Same needs per kg body weight as younger adults

• Carbohydrate• More likely to be lactose intolerant

• Fat• Maintain moderate low-fat diet

• Water• Reduced thirst response

Nutrient Needs of the Mature Adult

• Vitamins and Minerals• Vitamin D• B vitamins• Antioxidants• Calcium• Zinc• Iron

• To Supplement or Not to Supplement

Nutrient Needs of the Mature Adult

Nutrition-Related Concerns of Mature Adults

• Drug–drug and drug–nutrient interactions• Can affect use of drugs or nutrients

• Depression• May reduce food intake• Alcoholism can interfere with nutrient use

• Anorexia of aging• Loss of appetite with illness• Can lead to protein–energy malnutrition

Nutrition-Related Concerns of Mature Adults

• Arthritis• May interfere with food preparation and eating• Dietary changes may improve symptoms

• Bowel and bladder regulation• Increased risk of urinary tract infection• Chronic constipation more common with age

• Need for increased fluids, fiber

• Dental health• May interfere with eating ability, food choices

Nutrition-Related Concerns of Mature Adults

• Vision problems• Can affect ability to shop, cook• Antioxidants may reduce macular degeneration

• Osteoporosis• Common in elders, especially women• Maintain calcium, vitamin D, exercise

• Alzheimer’s disease• Affects ability to function• Reduced taste, smell• Risk for weight loss, malnutrition

• Overweight and Obesity

Meal Management for Mature Adults

• Managing independently• Services for elders

• Meals on Wheels• Elderly Nutrition Program• Food Stamp Program

• Wise eating for one or two

• Finding community resources

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Dietary Guidance for Healthy Children Aged 2 to 11 Years

• It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that children aged 2 to 11 years should achieve optimal physical and cognitive development, attain a healthy weight, enjoy food, and reduce the risk of chronic disease through appropriate eating habits and participation in regular physical activity.

The Dangers of Teenage Smoking

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that nearly 4 million adolescents smoke regularly. Each day, about 6,000 young people try a cigarette, and more than 3,000 become regular smokers.

• The CDC predicts that of all young people currently under the age of 18, more than 5 million will die prematurely of a smoking-related disease. New research shows that the earlier a person begins to smoke, the greater the damage.

American Heart Association: Overweight in Children

• Overweight children are more likely to be overweight adults. Successfully preventing or treating overweight in childhood may reduce the risk of adult overweight.

• This may help reduce the risk of heart disease and other diseases.

AHA: Fiber and Children’s Diets

• Children older than 2 years should gradually adopt the American Heart Association Eating Plan.

• That means saturated fat intake should be 8–10 percent of total calories and dietary cholesterol should be limited to no more than 300 mg daily.

• Children should also get the majority of calories from complex carbohydrates high in fiber.

Benefits of Increased Physical Activity

Perception of Taste

• The perception of taste declines with age. To detect flavors, older people need food with stronger flavors and odors.

• This loss of taste may contribute to loss of appetite and poor food intake.

• Age-related changes in the GI tract reduce nutrient absorption. Decreased motility contributes to constipation.

Nutrition Across the Spectrum of Aging

• It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that older Americans receive appropriate care; have broadened access to coordinated, comprehensive food and nutrition services; and receive the benefits of ongoing research to identify the most effective food and nutrition programs, interventions, and therapies across the spectrum of aging.

Water and Aging

• Although caloric needs decline with loss of lean tissue and reduced physical activity, protein needs do not change for elders.

• A high-carbohydrate, moderate-fat diet is still recommended.

• Water is important; because of their diminished thirst response, older people may not drink enough.