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Dietary Needs Research
Dietary Needs Research
Dietary Needs Research
Dietary Needs
What is a diet?
According to Rose, I. (n.d.) a balanced diet is food intake that not only includes all the
dietary needs of the organism (person), but includes the required dietary components, of
A person's dietary needs change as he or she passes through the different stages of life
from birth to childhood, to adulthood and eventually later life. Dietary needs change in terms of
the amount energy value and nutritional content of foods required for good health.
To be fit and healthy, it is important to take into account the extra demands placed on the
In order to meet the regular nutritional needs of a normal healthy person, their diet
should contain: a wide variety of nutritious foods ,water on a daily basis, enough kilojoules for
energy (carbohydrates is the preferred source), essential fatty acids from foods such as oily fish,
nuts, avocado, adequate protein for cell maintenance and repair , fat-soluble and water-soluble
vitamins , essential minerals such as iron, calcium and zinc and foods containing plant-derived
phytochemicals, which may protect against heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, arthritis and
osteoporosis. A varied diet that concentrates on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, dairy
foods and lean meats can meet these basic requirements, Willett W. (2001).
For a particular person, a healthy diet may vary substantially from what is recommended
in standard diets. This is what is called a Special diet or specialized diet. A special or specialized
diet is a diet a person voluntarily chooses or those that they are forced to choose due to medical
conditions, occupation, age or gender. For example, persons with nutritional deficiency diseases,
new-born babies, toddlers and the elderly, athletes, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers, all
Medical condition
occurs when the body doesnt absorb the necessary amount of a nutrient. Nutritional deficiencies
can lead to a variety of health problems. These can include problems of digestion, skin problems,
stunted or defective bone growth, and even dementia. Children are more at risk for serious
The amount of each nutrient you should consume depends on your age. Today, many
foods that you buy in the grocery store (such as cereals, bread, and milk) are fortified with
nutrients that are necessary to prevent nutritional deficiency. You can prevent nutritional
deficiencies by making sure you get enough nutrients from your diet.
Consuming the right balance of food and drink is important for everyone. However for
persons who are engaged in highly active or stressful job or actively participating in sport on a
regular basis need to be aware that it can also affect their performance. Athletes, for example,
Active persons such as athletes need; Fats, protein and carbohydrates to provide their
body with the fuel that they need to maintain energy. Carbohydrates are the primary fuel used by
working muscles. Adequate intake is essential for preventing muscle fatigue. Similarly to a
regular diet Athletes have to monitor their fat intake, they cannot remove it from their diet
completely because Fats provide fatty acids that can be used as a source of energy - especially if
their exercise sessions last longer than one hour. Fats also provide the building blocks for
hormones and formation of cell walls. Protein can be used as a source of energy and is critical for
building new muscle tissue. Different types of sporting activities require more of some nutrients
for example; if you are taking part in resistance training, your body will require additional
Babies usually double their length and triple their weight between birth and one year of
age. Breast milk generally supplies a baby with the required amounts of nutrients, fluids and
A young baby's needs compared with that of an adult are estimated to be three times
higher: Toddlers & Young Children (approx 1 - 11 years) School children grow quickly and are
generally very active. During childhood, children tend to vary their food intake (spontaneously)
to match their growth patterns. Childrens food needs vary widely, depending on their growth
and their level of physical activity. Like energy needs, a childs needs for protein, vitamins and
development in the form of growth (increase in size and total mass) and other changes incl. e.g.
hormonal during their pre-teen and teenage years. Their nutritional needs therefore differ from
those of adults and are also different for male and female adolescents. Energy requirement may
be up to 80% higher than when adult, protein requirement may be up to 80% higher than when
adult, may need more vitamin C than when adult, females may have increased requirement for
iron, and males may have increased requirement for calcium - for thickening bones, Haines, C.,
Seniors have very different nutritional needs than teenagers, children, and even middle-
aged adults. Age-related changes can affect how your body processes food, which influences
your dietary needs and affects your appetite. Elderly persons tend to move around less so they
need to consume fewer calories to maintain a healthy weight. In this case vitamin B12 and fibre
are essential to them as good supplements, because their digestive system doesnt work as well
as before. Vitamin B12 is important for elderly persons because it is normally absorbed in the
intestines, its function may decline with age or disease. Fibre is an important part of their diet
because they are more likely to develop constipation and it helps to move the digestive content
Men and women both require a nutritious diet for long-term health, but your gender plays
a role in the amount of nutrients you need. Consuming the right proportions of nutrients helps
you to manage your weight and supports your bodys functions. In most cases, men and women
require similar proportions of nutrients, but there are a few notable exceptions; females need
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DIETARY NEEDS
more of some Minerals and Vitamins (Iron and Calcium due to blood loss from the monthly
menstrual cycle and a thinner bone structure, Foliate due to pregnancy) Men require more calorie
than woman due to their, height, muscle mass and activity level. Muscle burns more calories than
fat, so people with more muscle require more calories. Both genders need some fat for vitamin
Pregnant woman should concentrate on increasing her nutrient intake, particularly in the
first and second trimesters. Breastfeeding mothers need a significant amount of extra energy to
cope with the demands of breastfeeding. This extra energy should come in the form of nutrient-
dense foods to help meet the extra nutrient requirements, Weil, A. (2005).
References
Denton, C. n.d.What Should I Eat for My Specific Condition?. What Should I Eat for My
Specific Condition? | Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing. Retrieved February 22,
2017, from https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/what-should-i-eat-my-specific-
condition#
Gong, M. n.d.Sports nutrition. Sports Nutrition - Nutritionist Resource. Retrieved February 23,
2017, from http://www.nutritionist-resource.org.uk/articles/sports-nutrition.html
Haines, C., MD. (2013, April 4). Food and your life stages. The Nutrition Needs of Senior
Citizens | Everyday Health. Retrieved March 14, 2017, from
http://www.everydayhealth.com/senior-health/understanding/diet-and-aging-gaining-a-
nutritional-edge.aspx
Rose, I. n.d.Dietary needs for different life stages. Dietary Needs for Different Life Stages.
Retrieved February 25, 2017, from
http://www.ivyroses.com/HumanBiology/Nutrition/Dietary-needs-life-stages.php
Willett W. (2001). Eat Drink and be Healthy. New York: Simon & Schuster.
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DIETARY NEEDS
This cereal can be recommended for children, pregnant women and the elderly, as it is
fortified with vitamins and minerals (Niacin, Iron, Thiamine, Riboflavin and Folic acid) it is low
Even though this is a nutritious product it would not be recommended for persons who are highly
This product can be recommended for children (because it is a good source of Calcium,
Protein and Carbohydrates) and highly active persons who are in need of a high level of energy.
Due to its high sodium and sugar content, it is not recommended for persons with Diabetes or
hypertension.