03. Nutrition across the lifespan

Question 1

Role of Iron

Answer 1

Iron is essential for the manufacture of red blood cells via haemoglobin that carry oxygen around the body.

Question 2

What is the importance of Iron during the prenatal stage of the lifespan

Answer 2

• Production of haemoglobin (in red blood cells), oxygen carrying component of the blood.
• mothers blood volume increases and the babies blood is also developing

Question 3

Impact of low iron

Answer 3

Anaemia can be a result of low iron levels in the body. This leads to reduced oxygen flow to the bodys organs. Symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath.

Question 4

Food Sources of Iron

Answer 4

• Red meat e.g. steak/beef
• Fish
• Green leafy vegetables e.g. spinach, kale
• Nuts

Question 5

What is the role of folate in the prenatal stage of the lifespan

Answer 5

• DNA synthesis: required for the duplication of cells in periods of growth.
• Can prevent neural tube defects

Question 6

What is a neural tube defect

Answer 6

The neural tube is a casing that encloses the brain and spinal cord during the embryonic stage of development. Neural tube defects are a group of conditions that occur when the neural tube does not fuse completely

Question 7

Folate food sources

Answer 7

• Green leafy vegetables e.g. spinach, broccoli, asparagus
• Bananas
  -Chickpeas
• Breakfast cereals fortified by folate

Question 8

What is the role of carbohydrates during infancy,childhood and adolesence stage of the lifespan

Answer 8

Major source of energy for the body, for daily brain function, proper muscle, nerve and tissue development.

Question 9

Carbohydrate food sources

Answer 9

• Wholewheat bread
• rice
• cereal

Question 10

Role of Fat

Answer 10

• Secondary source of energy
• temperature control
• protection of organs

Question 11

Role of protein

Answer 11

Build, maintain and repair body cells

Question 12

Why is protein important during adolesence

Answer 12

To meet the needs of growth in height and weight throughout puberty

Question 13

Protein Food Sources

Answer 13

• Meat e.g. steak, chicken
• Fish and seafood
• Eggs
• Dairy products e.g. milk

Question 14

Role of calcium

Answer 14

• Formation of bone and teeth
• Regulation of muscle contraction and relaxation
• Regulation of heart functioning

Question 15

Why is calcium important during adolesence, infancy and childhood

Answer 15

Skeletal tissue is constantly growing, so young children have high calcium requirements, particularly through growth spurts

Question 16

Calcium food sources

Answer 16

• Dairy products e.g. milk, cheese, yogurt
• Green leafy vegetables e.g. broccoli and spinach

Question 17

Why is iron important for adolescent females

Answer 17

During adolesence, females start to menstruate, and this leads to a loss of iron. It is important to replace this loss of iron

Question 18

Role of Insoluble Fibre

Answer 18

• Add bulk to faeces: stimulates waste to move through digestive tract assisting in regular bowel movements
• reduces cancer causing agents lingering in the bowel.

Question 19

Food Sources of Insoluble Fibre

Answer 19

Skins of fruit and vegetables, wholegrains

Question 20

Role of Soluble Fibre

Answer 20

• Lowers blood cholesterol: Fibre binds to cholesterol in the small intestine, preventing it from entering bloodstream and removes it from the body through faeces.

Question 21

Food Sources of Soluble Fibre

Answer 21

• Oats e.g porridge
• legumes and barley

Question 22

Important roles of fibre

Answer 22

• lower blood cholesterol
• Promotes Satiety: helps us to feel fuller for longer
• decreased risk of Colorectal cancer
• decreases risk of constipation

Question 23

Function of water

Answer 23

• Helps blood flow easily
• regulates blood temperature
• aids digestion
• lubricate and cushion joints

Question 24

What is dehydration

Answer 24

Occurs when the water content of the body is too low

Question 25

What health conditions can result from an underconsumption of calcium in childhood

Answer 25

Rickets
Fractures
Osteoporosis in later life

Question 26

What is constipation ?

Answer 26

• fewer than three bowel movements a week
• stools that are hard, dry, or lumpy
• stools that are difficult or painful to pass
• a feeling that not all stool has passed

Question 27

Name two health conditions individuals who under-consume water may be at risk of

Answer 27

• Dehydration
• Overheat – hyperthermia
• Pain in joints
• Constipation and colorectal cancer

Question 28

What is dehydration

Answer 28

Occurs when the water content of the body is too low.