Factors Affecting Nutrition

what physiologic and physical factors affect nutrition?

stage of development, state of health, and medications

what social determinants of health affect nutrition?

• economic stability

• health care access and quality

• social and community context

• education access and quality

• neighborhood and built environment

why should the nurse not assume a client’s cultural diet?

not everyone follows the typical diet of their culture

• ask, do not stereotype

how does growth affect nutritional needs?

growth periods like infancy, adolescence, pregnancy, and lactation increase nutritional and calorie needs

how do calorie needs change in pregnancy?

pregnant clients need about 350-450 extra kcal per day during the second trimester

how do calorie needs change during lactation?

lactating clients need about 500 extra kcal per day

how does activity level affect nutritional needs?

it increases calorie and nutrient needs

how do nutrition needs change in adulthood?

they level off once growth stops (decreases BMR)

• focus more on maintaining weight and preventing chronic disease

what changes in older adults can affect nutrition?

• decreased BMR and appetite

• lower calorie needs

• higher risk for dehydration

how does sex affect calorie needs?

males need more because of muscle mass

how does state of health affect nutritional needs?

illness can increase nutritional needs but often decreases appetite

• sick people may eat less

how can alcohol use disorder affect nutrition?

it can lead to poor diet, liver problems, and thiamine deficiency

how can medications affect nutrition?

• decrease appetite

• cause nausea or taste changes

• interact with certain foods like grapefruit

why are megadoses of supplements a concern?

causes toxicity or interfere with other nutrients

what factors influence food choices?

• social determinants of health

• religion, culture

• the personal meaning of food

what is a vegetarian diet?

a diet that omits meat, poultry, seafood, and fish

what is a vegan diet?

a diet that excludes all animal products, including meat, eggs, and milk

what nutrient deficiencies are vegans at higher risk for?

vitamin b12, vitamin d, iron, calcium, and zinc

what should vegans do about vitamin b12?

they should take a vitamin b12 supplement or eat foods fortified with b12 to prevent deficiency

which religions commonly follow pure vegetarian diets and why?

many hindus and buddhists follow vegetarian diets because of ahimsa, the belief in not harming living creatures

which religions require kosher or similar rules for animal foods?

orthodox judaism and islam have rules about which animals can be eaten and how they must be prepared