how our nutritional needs change due to age

• Babies and Small Children Nutritional Needs

  • from birth, babies are fed milk, either breast milk or bottle formulas
  • once the baby is old enough, he or she is introduced gradually to solid food. This is called weaning
  • foods that may cause allergies may be introduced gradually. If there is a known allergy to these in the immediate family, it is best to wait until the baby is over a year old
  • a good variety of foods should be introduced to ensure a balanced diet
  • babies do not need sweet foods or added sugar, as this may create cravings later in life
• Children aged 1-4 years olds Nutritional Needs

  • these children are usually very active and are growing quickly
  • they need small, regular meals and drinks to give them energy throughout the day
  • they also need a diet higher in fat to provide energy
  • children this age need all the macro- and micronutrients as they are still growing, and their bodies are still forming
• Children aged 5-12 year olds Nutritional Needs

  • this is an age where children should be very active and are growing rapidly.
  • exercise helps the bones to become stronger and take up the calcium they need. This is laying down bone density, creating peak bone mass, which will help prevent problems such as weaker bones in old age.
  • children at this age are advised to eat 28 grams of protein per day and around 1,900 kilocalories a day for boys and 1,700 kilocalories a day for girls.
• Teenagers Nutritional Needs

  • this is an age where you are changing from a child into an adult
  • girls will have growth spurts and will often start puberty earlier than boys. Teenagers can grow several centimetres in a few months
  • boys will put on large amounts of muscle tissue and therefore sufficient protein is needed to support this growth
  • all the essential vitamins and minerals are needed to help the bones and internal organs form correctly. Peak bone mass is not reached until about 30 years of age.
  • teenage girls may be prone to being anaemic, as they will start their periods during this time. Iron-rich foods should be eaten, along with foods high in Vitamin C to help with iron absorption.
  • Teenagers, particularly girls, are very conscious of body image.
• Adults and older people Nutritional Needs

  • adults' bodies have stopped growing but they still need all the nutrients to keep the body working properly, and to repair and renew cells.
  • adults also need to prevent diseases and dietary-related conditions developing.
• Early Adulthood Nutritional Needs

  • calcium-rich foods should be consumed to continue laying down bone density to prevent problems with weaker bones in later life. (Peak bone mass is not reached until around the age of 30)
• Pregnancy Nutritional Needs

  • Pregnant mothers need to eat a healthy, balanced diet, with extra care taken that they eat enough of the following nutrients:
  • calcium for the baby's skeleton. Most of the calcium is needed in the last three months of pregnancy. The mother needs enough calcium for herself and the baby.
  • vitamin D to help the absorption of calcium. If insufficient calcium, the baby will absorb calcium from the mother's bones, and these will be weaker.
  • Iron from haemoglobin in the blood to carry oxygen during respiration. The baby has to build up a store of iron to last for the first three months of its life, as it will get no iron from the milk.
  • vitamin C will help with iron absorption in the body
  • folic acid/folate will reduce the risk of the baby developing spinal defects, such as spina bifida.
  • Fibre is important because constipation may be a problem during pregnancy
  • Avoid fatty and sugary foods.
• Middle Adulthood Nutritional Needs

  • Middle adulthood can be a time when people begin to be less active, so start to gain weight as their EAR (estimated average requirement) reduces due to a decrease in PAL (physical activity levels).
  • It is important to make sure that you are eating the correct number of kilocalories to reduce the chances of developing diseases that are related to being overweight, such as diabetes.
  • Middle-aged men are particularly vulnerable to coronary heart disease, and are a priority group for diet improvement and awareness.
• Late Adulthood

  • It is important to keep the body weight within a healthy range. Older people have a lower BMR, and usually exercise less, so need fewer calories.
  • Older people need to eat:
  • vitamin D and calcium to help prevent osteoporosis
  • fibre and water to prevent constipation
  • vitamin C and iron-rich foods to help with the absorption of iron to prevent anaemia
  • antioxidants to help prevent eye problems and cancers
  • foods containing vitamin B(12)
  • Older people need to avoid:
  • fatty and sugary foods, as they are less active and more likely to gain weight
  • sodium (salt), as this could lead to high blood pressure and heart disease.
  • Other health problems could include difficulty chewing due to dentures or Parkinson's disease and difficulty cutting food up due to arthritis.