Special Topics in Nutrition

The Life Span 1. Prenatal Period 2. Infancy 3. Childhood 4. Adolescence 5. Adulthood

Prenatal Period Responsibility = Mother Responsibility = Mother Concern of good nutrition should begin before pregnancy. Concern of good nutrition should begin before pregnancy.

Teen Pregnancy Poor eating habits= low birth weight Poor eating habits= low birth weight Need added nutrients for both themselves and the fetus. Need added nutrients for both themselves and the fetus.

Guidelines for Pregnant Women See a Health Professional See a Health Professional Obstetrician Obstetrician Certified Nurse Midwife Certified Nurse Midwife Choose a low-fat, nutrient-dense diet, high in protein, vitamins and minerals Choose a low-fat, nutrient-dense diet, high in protein, vitamins and minerals Boost calories slightly Boost calories slightly Pick foods rich in FOLATE Pick foods rich in FOLATE Drink 8 glasses of water a day! Drink 8 glasses of water a day!

Pregnancy and Weight Gain Healthy weight gain = pounds Healthy weight gain = pounds Twins = Twins = ***Could vary*** ***Could vary***

Infancy Feeding Newborns Feeding Newborns Breast Feeding Breast Feeding Right amount/type of fat Right amount/type of fat Easier to digest Easier to digest Bottle-feeding Bottle-feeding

Adding Solid food… After the first four to six months, solid foods can be introduced. After the first four to six months, solid foods can be introduced. Try one at a time! Try one at a time!

Childhood Food portions should be small Food portions should be small During growth spurts –may eat more than usual During growth spurts –may eat more than usual Young children need 2 cups of milk daily Young children need 2 cups of milk daily

Adolescence Next to infancy, the second most rapid growth period of life is the one you are going through now– adolescence. Next to infancy, the second most rapid growth period of life is the one you are going through now– adolescence. Increased need for almost all nutrients Increased need for almost all nutrients Physical and psychological changes Physical and psychological changes

Adulthood Require fewer calories Require fewer calories Still need full share of nutrients Still need full share of nutrients Stay active Stay active

Stress Not everyone finds the same situations stressful Not everyone finds the same situations stressful Positive Events can be stressful Positive Events can be stressful Dating Dating Receiving an award Receiving an award Having a baby, etc. Having a baby, etc.

Stress can cause… Headaches Headaches Backaches Backaches Other physical symptoms Other physical symptoms

Special Eating Plans High Cholesterol High Cholesterol High blood pressure High blood pressure Diabetes Diabetes HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS Food Allergy Food Allergy Food Intolerance Food Intolerance

Eating Disorders Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia Nervosa Self-starvation Self-starvation Binge Eating Binge Eating Large amounts of food Large amounts of food Bulimia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa Binge eating then purging Binge eating then purging

Effects of Anorexia Lowered heart rate, body temperature, constipation, lowered blood pressure and lowered breathing rate. Lowered heart rate, body temperature, constipation, lowered blood pressure and lowered breathing rate. 5-20% die from this disorder 5-20% die from this disorder

Effects of Binge Eating Disorder Causes weight gain Causes weight gain High blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart disease, diabetes, gallbladder disease High blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart disease, diabetes, gallbladder disease

Effects of Bulimia Damages the esophagus, teeth, gums Damages the esophagus, teeth, gums Constant sore throats Constant sore throats Irregular heart beats, can lead to heart failure Irregular heart beats, can lead to heart failure

Causes of Eating Disorders Psychological factors Psychological factors Food to cope with emotions Food to cope with emotions Relationships Relationships Ridicule of weight Ridicule of weight Abused Abused Body Image Body Image Unrealistic images of body shape/weight Unrealistic images of body shape/weight Chemistry Chemistry Chemical imbalances in the brain Chemical imbalances in the brain Much is till to be learned in this area. Much is till to be learned in this area.

What can be done? Medical Nutrition therapy Medical Nutrition therapy Behavioral therapy Behavioral therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy Family therapy Family therapy Drug therapy Drug therapy