Day Seven - Nutrition Across the Lifespan

Our nutritional needs change throughout our lifespan.  Infants and children neednutrients to support their growing bodies and developing brains, while adolescents and adults need to focus more on maintenance than growth.  A pregnant or lactating woman needs to account nutritionally not only for her own needs, but for that of her baby, however she needs to be aware that "eating for two" does not mean "eating two servings of everything".

During pregnancy, a woman should focus on eating the most nutritious, healthy foods possible so the growing baby is able to absorb the nutrients it needs to develop normally.  In addition, pregnant women need to be sure they get enough vitamins and minerals to support the healthy development of the fetus, particularly Folic Acid, Calcium, and Vitamin D.  (Mayo Clinic, 2011)  Pregnant women need to maintain a healthy body weight both before and during pregnancy, since being either overweight or underweight can have negative consequences for the baby.

A growing infant requires more Vitamin D and Iodine proportionately than an adult in order to ensure proper development of bones and other systems.  Toddlers and school age children should be encouraged to eat a balanced diet so they will be more likely to make healthy food choices throughout their lives.  During the growth spurts of childhood and adolescence, the body's increased demand for Vitamin D and Iron must be accounted for in order to support strong bone growth and development. (Sizer & Whitney, 2011)

For adults, the focus needs to be on maintaining a balanced diet with the proper caloric intake in order to prevent the weight-related problems described earlier.  Older adults need to ensure they are getting adequate nutrition, as the amount of food eaten tends to decrease with age.  Overall, a lifetime of nutritious food choices will help stave off chronic diseases and contribute towards optimal health during the entire life span.

Reference:

Mayo Clinic (2011). Pregnancy Diet: Focus on these essential nutrients. Pregnancy Week By Week. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy-nutrition/PR00110

Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2011).  Nutrition Concepts & Controversies, 12^th Edition.  Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.