Nutrition in the development and wellness during the four stages of the life cycle
Food is a central component in life. It offers the raw materials that are essential in the maintenance and growth. All people need the basic nutrients in food: carbohydrates, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids to sustain their health (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2018). However, as per various studies, the amounts of nutrients needed differ as an individual passes from one stage of human life to the next. The choices people make on the foods they consume impact their health, with short-term effects such as constipation and excessive weight gain and long-term consequences, which primarily relate to cardiovascular diseases and obesity. Nutritional choices are crucial throughout a person’s life; infancy, childhood, youth and adulthood.
Infancy
Nutritionists consider breast milk to be a perfect food for infants (from birth to 12 months). Breastfeeding is preferred as the ideal form of nourishment for developing infants as it is easily adaptable, convenient, antibacterial, economical, and protective (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2018). The early milk from nursing mothers known as colostrum is highly rich in white cell and antibodies which protect the infant from infections and prevents activation of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of the infant. Herman et al. (2018) state that infants can also be feed on infant formulas which are perfect nutritious options to breast milk. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Childhood
Nutritional requirements differ in children considering their age. For instance, toddlers (children between 1 to 3 years) require keen attention to the food they eat from their parents. Toddlers may not consume the recommended daily adequate intakes of nutrients; however, they consume them over a few days through foods and beverages. Children of this age require 13 grams of proteins, and 130 grams of carbohydrates daily considering their BMI. Children consume more food on days they are very active (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2018). Children of 4-8 years require food nutrients which resemble of children 1 to 3 years however with additional quantities. At this age, the rapid growth has reduced, and they need a gradual to low-fat foods. School going children, due to their irregular eating practices need to eat high amounts of calcium so that their limbs and bones can develop properly.
Youth to Adulthood
The nutritional requirements in this stage, 20 to 65 years are for stability reasons and not for growth. Just after adolescence, individuals should modify their eating and activity lifestyles to adapt to new ones. As per Herman et al. (2014) other than factors such as gender and daily required intakes the dietary standards do not differ in this life cycle stage. The early stages of adulthood are different to the late stages; for example, most women get pregnant, give birth, lactate and later enter into menopause. In the middle age, several physical changes such as loss of bone mass in women which need them to have a proper diet. The visual acuity declines in both men and women by age 40. However, with all these changes individuals in this stage can keep fit through having regular exercises and a balanced diet.
Older adult years
Older adults require special nutritional needs because their bodies need lesser calories than young adults and some health problems become prevalent with age. A few studies indicate that vitamin and mineral required in older adults are similar to younger adults (U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA], 2017). At this stage, the older adults should avoid excess proteins as absorption is efficient. It is vital to encourage these people to drink enough fluids to encounter dehydration