There is rapid growth
and development of the body during the initial years of life. To have
unobstructed growth and ensure normal growth and development, food must be
provided in such a way that it meets the
quantitative and qualitative standards of diet. Energy requirements per unit of
body weight are greatest in infancy, In the first month of life the need is
around 110 calories per kg body weight as compared to 40 calories per kg
in adults. Similarly the requirements of proteins, vitamins, minerals and
water are greater in early years of life. The infant diet is mostly composed of
milk that may be deficient in ascorbic acid, vit A and vitamin D . There fore it is important to add these
essential nutrients in the infant diet. The benefits of breast feeding
cannot be ignored and the sense of security and satisfaction that a lactating
mother has during breast-feeding has no alternative.
Adolescent Nutrition:
When compared to young children and adults, adolescents have
distinct nutritional requirements. As there is rapid acceleration of growth before they reached sexual maturity and puberty. This phase of growth occurs earlier
in females than in males. This means an adequate and appropriate diet that
fulfills the needs of this phase of life should be met both in terms of
calories and nutrients. In pubertal development,
energy (calories) and protein are critical both for male and females. How much
both of needed, given below as
MALE REQUIRMENT PER DAY. Male adolescents require 2500-3000 calories/day.
FEMALE REQUIRMENT PER DAY. while female adolescents require roughly
2200 calories per day. Fat, calcium, iron, zinc, vitamins, and fiber are
among the other nutrients that must be consumed.
Adult's nutrition:
this is very crucial stage of life .Although in this phase of
life there is no spurt of growth and the caloric needs are less as
compared to the early years of life, even then they should have adequate
balance diet containing all the essential elements of food and calories.
This depends on the activity undertaken by them during the course of 24
hours.
Nutrition during
pregnancy & lactation:
Women who are pregnant
or breastfeeding require more nutrients than normal women. In this stage if they
are not given Balanced meals with a
range of many important and necessary nutrients,
such as fruits and vegetables, healthy grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy products, which are essential, may cause
some bad effects on their health. By providing all these, has been observed
that the complications of pregnancy are less and the condition of infants
at birth is better in women of adequate diets as compared to those women on
poor diets. The pregnancy and the period of lactation need planned diets
to meet the additional requirements of
essential nutrients particularly the proteins, vitamins and minerals.
Nutritional requirement fort pregnant and Lactating Mother: 300 extra calories per day
Geriatric nutrition:
Although the dietary requirements during the
old age are less as compared to adults as the basal metabolic needs in old
age are reduced, but still the consideration of diet should be to maintain satisfactory and healthful years of life. It should be of standards
qualitatively and contain adequate amounts of proteins, calcium and Vitamins. These are very important because it gives them
energy and can help them control their
weight. It may also help prevent some diseases, such as osteoporosis, high
blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancer Accompanying
the normal aging process are several physiologic changes that have an
impact on the older adult's nutritional needs.
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