Nutrition

• Certain groups, such as the elderly, those with restricted diets, and those with digestive issues, are at higher risk of developing vitamin deficiencies.
• The recommended daily allowance (RDA) varies based on age, gender, pregnancy status, and other factors.
• Excess intake can lead to toxicity, which may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, irritability, and neurological damage.
• Soluble


  Dissolve in water and slow down digestion to give you that "full feeling"
• Insoluble


  Add bulk to the diet and help with constipation have that "laxative" effect
• Babies (0-6 months)


  Period of rapid growth and development
• Breastmilk or formula


  Contains all the nutrients required for this period, should continue until 1 year
• Current advice is not to give solid food to babies before the age of 6 months
• Weaning


  Introduction of solid foods and mixed diet
• Babies draw upon the stores they have accumulated before birth, which are depleted during the first 6 months of life
• The diet during weaning must ensure adequate iron supplies, as only a small amount of iron is found in milk
• Nutrients that increase between 6-12 months


  • Protein (chicken, beans, meat, fish)
  • B vitamins (nuts, liver, milk, eggs)
  • Magnesium (spinach, nuts, seeds)
  • Zinc (poultry, fish, meat)
  • Sodium (bread, cheese)
  • Chloride (carrots, tomatoes, lettuce)
• Weaning


  • Gradual introduction to food
  • Variety of foods such as infant cereals, pureed fruit/vegetables and meat
• No eggs before 6 months, after 6 months eggs should be cooked until they are solid
• Salt and sugar not added to foods that are prepared at home, home prepared foods are preferred to commercial baby foods which may be sweetened or salted
• Cows milk should not be given until 1 year
• Weaning (7 months+)


  1. Gradually increase quantity, change texture from smooth purees to mashed and lumpier foods

  2. Introduce dairy foods, foods containing wheat and varied sources of protein

  3. Offer cooked meat, fish, pasta, noodles, bread, chapatti, lentils, mashed rice

  4. Introduce eggs (well cooked)

  5. Give full fat dairy products like cheese and yoghurt
• Good sources of iron include red meat, pulses, beans and lentils, vitamin C from fruit and vegetables can help absorption of iron from non-meat sources
• PRE SCHOOL 12 MONTHS-4 YEARS

  • Approx 12-18 months a child can eat a mixed diet. Transitional period where the diet changes from baby diet to a family diet 
  • Energy requirements increased due to activity and growing rapidly
  • Increased needs for all vitamins
  • Balanced diet
  • Not too much fibre 

  PRESCHOOL

  • Should be given whole milk, not skimmed or semi skimmed. 
  • Semi skimmed can be given after the age of 2
  • Sensible patterns of eating should be established at this time,m with meals taken at regular times and a wide variety of foods introduced 
• Toddlers


  • 12 months to 4 years old
• Many school aged children are overweight and obese


  It may affect their health as children and adults
• Overweight and obesity in school aged children


  It can impact on their performance at school
• Social factors associated with obesity


  • Lack of confidence
  • Stigmatism
  • Discrimination
  • Poor mental health
  • Disordered sleep
  • Decreased time spent of physical activity
  • Decreased time spent socialising
• To maintain a healthy weight


  1. Eat varied diet

  2. Physical activity

  3. Limit high cal/fat foods
• It is best to set good examples from a young age
• Setting good examples


  • Making time to do activities as a family
  • Eating together at set times
  • Swimming
  • Football
• Young children (4-10 years)


  • Growing fast
  • High energy requirements
  • High nutrient requirements due to rapid growth
• Nutrient needs of 4-6 year olds


  • Greater need for protein
  • Greater need for iron
  • All vitamins except C and D
  • All minerals
• Nutrient needs of 7-10 year olds


  • Increase in energy requirements
  • Increase in protein requirements
  • Except thiamine
  • Except vitamin C
  • Except vitamin A
• Adolescents


  • Change
  • Puberty
  • High nutrition need (large appetite)
  • Balanced diet
• Period of considerable change centred on puberty


  1. Growth

  2. Weight

  3. Sexual development
• Adolescents have high nutritional needs therefore have large appetites
• 11-14 year olds energy requirements for women and men are different the protein requirements increase by 50%
• By the age of 11 vitamin and minerals differ as girls have a higher intake of iron due to the menstrual cycle
• From the age of 11 years the recommended salt intake is 6g per day
• Nutrients that need to be increased for boys


  • Protein
  • Thiamine
  • Riboflavin
  • Niacin
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin A
  • Magnesium
  • Potassium
  • Zinc
  • Copper
  • Selenium
  • Iodine
• Nutrients that need to be increased for girls


  • Energy
  • Protein
  • Thiamine
  • Niacin
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin C
  • Phosphorus
  • Copper
  • Selenium
  • Iodine
  • Iron (due to menstrual loss)
• Adolescents


  • Variety of food
  • Healthy eating
  • High calcium levels
  • High iron in girls
• Adolescents should


  1. Have 30 mins of physical activity a day

  2. Go to dentist every 6 months
• Elderly groups


  • Younger than 75 - young 'old'
  • Older than 75 - old 'old'