importance of supplementary food ai different phases of life cycle (long answer)
Answers
Infancy
Is the stage of the life cycle from birth to 12 months of age. Nutrition is important during this time, as rapid growth and development take place. A well balanced diet id required for the total development of the child. After 3-6 months of thriving on breast or formula milk every 2-3 hours, a baby may need some solid food for extra nutrients. From about 6 months of age babies also need texture in their food to encourage them to chew and develop the muscles that will be required for speech. From the very first time a baby is offered food other than milk, the process of weaning has started. It is important not to introduce solid food too early as the digestive system and kidneys are not developed enough to cope with food.
Adolescence (12-20 Years)
The teenage years are a time of rapid growth and development, when adolescents need more energy. Rapidly growing bones also need plenty of calcium. The increase in body tissue and hence blood volume in boys and the onset of menstruation in girls means that extra iron is needed by both sexes. There is an increased need for:
energy for functioning of the body
protein for growth and repair
vitamins for maintenance, health and development
minerals, especially calcium, phosphorous and iron
Adulthood
At this stage in the lifecycle, growth has usually stopped and activity levels have stabilised or declined. If a balanced diet is consumed all nutrients for good health will be maintained. Adults need to ensure that their energy intake balances their energy outputs that weight gain is avoided. By middle age approximately 50% of Australians are overweight, due to a combination of high kilojoule or calorie intake and decreased physical activity. The dietary guidelines for Australian adults have been developed to encourage healthy lifestyles that minimise the risk of developing diet related diseases.
Pregnancy
In pregnancy, a woman's diet must provide all the nutrients required for the development of the embryo and foetus. This is why it is important for the mother to have a well balanced, nutritious diet established prior to her becoming pregnant. A developing foetus does not use a lot of energy, so a large amount of extra food is not necessary. A pregnant mother requires:
- a good supply of protein for the growth of new cells
- additional calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D to assist bone and teeth formation
- B group vitamins, which aid the metabolism of carbohydrates
- iron and folate to prevent anaemia
- increased fibre to prevent constipation
- 6-8 glasses of water per day
Lactation
When a woman is breast-feeding she is said to be lactating. An increase in nutrients, specifically protein, vitamins and minerals, is essential at this time as the mother is producing the food requirements for her newborn child. This production of breast milk is known as lactation. Breast milk is high in energy and is a complete nutritious food source for most babies up until the age of 6 months. Breast milk provides perfect nutrition and important substances for protection against infection, and is easily digested by an infant. The first substance to come from the breast is a substance called colostrum, which is rich in antibodies, proteins and minerals but has less sugar and fat than the milk that follows.
The Aged
Australians are living longer than ever before. In 2008, around 13% of Australia's population was aged 65 and over; by 2056 this figure is expected to be between 23 and 25%. Good nutrition and an active lifestyle are vital in maintaining the well-being and health of older people. Older Australians, particularly those living alone, can lose the motivation to prepare meals for themselves and this can lead to malnutrition. While appetite and energy requirements generally decease, a balanced diet is important. Attention should be paid to specific nutrients such as protein, calcium, iron, and vitamin C. Being overweight or obese may become a problem unless sufficient exercise is undertaken. The nutritional needs for older people have been recognised through the development of the following specific guidelines for healthy independent Australians aged 65 years and over.
- Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods
- Keep active to maintain muscle strength and a healthy body weight
- Eat at least 3 meals every day
- Care for your food- prepare and store it correctly
- Eat plenty of vegetables (including legumes) and fruit
- Eat plenty of cereals, breads and pastas
- Eat a diet low in saturated fat
- Drink adequate amounts of water and other non sugared fluids
- If you drink alcohol limit your intake
- Chose foods low in salt and use salt sparingly
- Include foods high in calcium
- Use added sugars in moderation