Nutrition Throughout Life
Good nutrition throughout the life span is essential if infants are to grow into healthy adults with successful development into old age. However, with the shocking rates of malnutrition and obesity, it appears that infants, children, and adults are not attaining sufficient nutritional status. Concern over poor nutrition has become more apparent in the last ten years (Shepherd, 2008). Nutrition, whether healthy or poor, can affect an individual’s biological, psychological, and socioemotional development throughout the life span.
Pregnancy
Healthy Nutrition The child before birth requires sufficient nutrition in order for him or her to achieve optimal health physically and mentally. Even though a healthy diet is …show more content…
Studies show that 45 percent of meals consumed by children exceed the recommended amounts of saturated fats and trans fats. Studies also show that 1/3 of young children’s daily caloric intake comes from dining at restaurants. Most of the choices (93%) at restaurants contained more than 430 calories (Santrock, 2013). Childhood obesity contributes to numerous health problems. Hypertension (high-blood pressure, dyslipidemia (an abnormal amount of fat or cholesterol in the blood), and type 2 diabetes, (adult-onset), which were previously only found in older adults, are now being seen in children as young as five. Contributors to childhood obesity include: family history, environmental influences, and gender (Kelsey, Zaepfel, Bjornstad & Nadeau, 2014). To be classified as “obese”, a child has to be above the 97th percentile for their weight and height. If the child is at the 95th or 96th percentile, he or she is considered “overweight” (Santrock, 2013). Socioemotional. Eating behaviors improve in young children when parents or caregivers eat with the children on a schedule that is predictable, when healthy eating is modeled, and when mealtimes are happy occasions. Distractions, like family arguments, television, and activities should be reduced so that attention can be given to the task of eating. It is important for the caregiver to give clear information about what is expected of the child (Santrock, …show more content…
An individual is obese when he or she intakes more calories than he or she burns. With age, there are hormonal changes that occur that can aid in fat accumulating (Newman, 2009). For the first time in the life span, being overweight could be beneficial. Santrock (2013) states that older adults who are overweight actually life longer than adults who are normal-weight (Santrock, 2013). However, there are still health problems associated with carrying around extra weight. For example, some nonfatal problems that are exacerbated by obesity include respiratory issues and skin issues. Being obese or even overweight can also cause pain in joints, especially in the knees and hips (Newman,
Good nutrition throughout the life span is essential if infants are to grow into healthy adults with successful development into old age. However, with the shocking rates of malnutrition and obesity, it appears that infants, children, and adults are not attaining sufficient nutritional status. Concern over poor nutrition has become more apparent in the last ten years (Shepherd, 2008). Nutrition, whether healthy or poor, can affect an individual’s biological, psychological, and socioemotional development throughout the life span.
Pregnancy
Healthy Nutrition The child before birth requires sufficient nutrition in order for him or her to achieve optimal health physically and mentally. Even though a healthy diet is …show more content…
Studies show that 45 percent of meals consumed by children exceed the recommended amounts of saturated fats and trans fats. Studies also show that 1/3 of young children’s daily caloric intake comes from dining at restaurants. Most of the choices (93%) at restaurants contained more than 430 calories (Santrock, 2013). Childhood obesity contributes to numerous health problems. Hypertension (high-blood pressure, dyslipidemia (an abnormal amount of fat or cholesterol in the blood), and type 2 diabetes, (adult-onset), which were previously only found in older adults, are now being seen in children as young as five. Contributors to childhood obesity include: family history, environmental influences, and gender (Kelsey, Zaepfel, Bjornstad & Nadeau, 2014). To be classified as “obese”, a child has to be above the 97th percentile for their weight and height. If the child is at the 95th or 96th percentile, he or she is considered “overweight” (Santrock, 2013). Socioemotional. Eating behaviors improve in young children when parents or caregivers eat with the children on a schedule that is predictable, when healthy eating is modeled, and when mealtimes are happy occasions. Distractions, like family arguments, television, and activities should be reduced so that attention can be given to the task of eating. It is important for the caregiver to give clear information about what is expected of the child (Santrock, …show more content…
An individual is obese when he or she intakes more calories than he or she burns. With age, there are hormonal changes that occur that can aid in fat accumulating (Newman, 2009). For the first time in the life span, being overweight could be beneficial. Santrock (2013) states that older adults who are overweight actually life longer than adults who are normal-weight (Santrock, 2013). However, there are still health problems associated with carrying around extra weight. For example, some nonfatal problems that are exacerbated by obesity include respiratory issues and skin issues. Being obese or even overweight can also cause pain in joints, especially in the knees and hips (Newman,