Life cycle Nutrition

Young children

Toddlers and preschoolers

Toddlers

1-3 years

Preschoolers

3-5 years

Weight/height gain for 1 year and older is 

5 pounds/2.5-3.5 in/year

Young children have

Smaller appetites and lower calorie needs relative to infants

Young children need

Snacks throughout the day with nutrient dense meals

With feeding young children

Be mindful of portion size, by 15 months a child can start self-feeding, Avoid choking hazards, never eat while riding in a car

Calcium

needed for developing strong bone

Iron

Deficiency is common in young children and can lead to developmental delays

Vitamin D

needed for healthy bones, sun exposure and fortified foods

Fiber 1-3 years

19g/day

Fiber 4-8 years

25g/day

Fiber

preventing constipatio

Fluids

water, milk, juice, also in fruits and vegetables

If child is vegan or vegetarian watch out for

vitamin D, calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients less available in a plant-based diet

Picky eaters

Unwillingness to try unfamiliar foods, repeated exposure is necesary

Food jag

Period where a child will only eat the same food meal after a meal, usually short term, but should be monitored

Children mimic adults

Parents should engage in healthy eating patterns

Avoid the clean your plate method

Causing override of systems that tell you when your’re full 

School-aged children

6-11 years old

Feeding school-aged children

Eating patterns may be affected by developmental disabilities

Obesity rates in school-aged children

rates have tripled in the last 40 years

(Autism spectrum disorder) ASD

Have more food jags and picky eating

Children are overeating

Juices, soda, sports drinks, candy, chips, and baked goods. Portion sizes have increased

Average american child is eating more than the recommended

Saturated fat,

Children should be getting at least

60 minutes of exercises daily

Children aren’t meeting daily exercise needs

Increased screen time and fewer opportunities for activity in schools

Treat fruit like

a desertTAT

TASTE

T - Try something new (Ig. new cooking method)

A - All forms of fruits and veggies count (ig. frozen)

S - Shop smart, shop for stuff in season

T - Turn it into a family activity, cook together

E - Explore variety, encourage kids to pick out produce

Breakfast

Benefits cognition (memory), better academic performance, attendance, psychosocial function, food, keeps blood glucose levels in range, healthy body weight

Adolescents

Stage of life between start of puberty and adulthood

Feeding adolescents

peers are more influential than parents for eating habits

Vitamin D and Calcium

Adolescents rapid bone growth occurring in the epiphyseal plate

Low calcium and D intake in adolescents can cause

Low peak bone mass resulting in increased fracture risk

Iron adolescents

Needed to support muscle growth and increased blood volume, girls need more to offset blood loss during menstration

Older adults

someone over the age of 65

Older adults need

Fewer calories, but plenty of nutrients

Older adults often take in less protein

Need protein for building cells, repairing tissues and other protein functions

Older adults need plenty of vitamins, minerals and fiber

Helps to reduce risk of chronic disease like cancer, macular degeneration, heart disease, and cataracts

Adequate fiber and fluid for older adults

Declining thirst mechanism causes dehydration 

UTI can look likeVitam

Dementia in older adults

vitamin A older adults

Overconsumption can increase risk of osteoporosis and fractures

Vitamin D older adults 

Ability to convert from sunlight declines with age

Vitamin B12 older adults

Many over 50 can’t absorb naturally from animal products

Zinc older adults

Deficiency could negatively impact immune system, may reduce ability to taste

Calcium older adults

Absorption declines with age

Sodium older adults

Should be decreased to avoid hypertension

Arthritis

Inflammation in the joints

Osteoarthritis

Most common amongst older adults. Exercise, flexibility training, and excess weight loss can help

Rhematoid arthritis

2nd most common form of arthritis. Immune system attacks tissues and joints. Omega-3 fatty acids can help

Dementia

Loss of cognitive functioning and behavioral abilities that interferes with memory

Alzheimer’s disease

Most common form of dementia, irreversible progressive brain disease

Mediterranean diet or DASH diet, higher exercise, social engagement

Can help prevent dementia

Cancer

Most common

Men: prostate

Women:

Carcinogens are thought to be the root cause of most

Cancers

types of carcinogens

Tobacco, alcohol, radiation, industrial chemicals, cancer causing agents in foods and beverages

Excess body weight is a risk factor for

Many cancers

Reducing cancer risk

Avoid diet high in red meats, get more fiber omega-3, phytochemicals, retinoids

Calcium can decrease absorption of

Antibiotics

Fish oil

Enhances effectiveness of anticoagulants

Garlic supplements should not be taken

With drugs treating tuberculosis and HIV

Ginkgo biloba

Enhanced Blood thinning drugs and aspirin

Ginseng

Can enhance drugs used to reduce blood glucose levels and blood thinners

Grape fruit and grapefruit juice

Enhances effect of heart medications

St.John’s wort

Must avoid with many medications

Vitamin E can negatively interact with

Immunosuppressive drugs and anticoagulants

Many older adults live on a

Low income which can increase food insecurity