03. Nutrition across the lifespan Flashcards
Role of Iron
Iron is essential for the manufacture of red blood cells via haemoglobin that carry oxygen around the body.
What is the importance of Iron during the prenatal stage of the lifespan
- Production of haemoglobin (in red blood cells), oxygen carrying component of the blood.
- mothers blood volume increases and the babies blood is also developing
Impact of low iron
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.
Food Sources of Iron
- Red meat e.g. steak/beef
- Fish
- Green leafy vegetables e.g. spinach, kale
- Nuts
What is the role of folate in the prenatal stage of the lifespan
- DNA synthesis: required for the duplication of cells in periods of growth.
- Can prevent neural tube defects
What is a neural tube defect
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
Folate food sources
- Green leafy vegetables e.g. spinach, broccoli, asparagus
- Bananas
-Chickpeas - Breakfast cereals fortified by folate
What is the role of carbohydrates during infancy,childhood and adolesence stage of the lifespan
Major source of energy for the body, for daily brain function, proper muscle, nerve and tissue development.
Carbohydrate food sources
- Wholewheat bread
- rice
- cereal
Role of Fat
- Secondary source of energy
- temperature control
- protection of organs
Role of protein
Build, maintain and repair body cells
Why is protein important during adolesence
To meet the needs of growth in height and weight throughout puberty
Protein Food Sources
- Meat e.g. steak, chicken
- Fish and seafood
- Eggs
- Dairy products e.g. milk
Role of calcium
- Formation of bone and teeth
- Regulation of muscle contraction and relaxation
- Regulation of heart functioning
Why is calcium important during adolesence, infancy and childhood
Skeletal tissue is constantly growing, so young children have high calcium requirements, particularly through growth spurts
Calcium food sources
- Dairy products e.g. milk, cheese, yogurt
- Green leafy vegetables e.g. broccoli and spinach
Why is iron important for adolescent females
During adolesence, females start to menstruate, and this leads to a loss of iron. It is important to replace this loss of iron
Role of Insoluble Fibre
- Add bulk to faeces: stimulates waste to move through digestive tract assisting in regular bowel movements
- reduces cancer causing agents lingering in the bowel.
Food Sources of Insoluble Fibre
Skins of fruit and vegetables, wholegrains
Role of Soluble Fibre
- Lowers blood cholesterol: Fibre binds to cholesterol in the small intestine, preventing it from entering bloodstream and removes it from the body through faeces.
Food Sources of Soluble Fibre
- Oats e.g porridge
- legumes and barley
Important roles of fibre
- lower blood cholesterol
- Promotes Satiety: helps us to feel fuller for longer
- decreased risk of Colorectal cancer
- decreases risk of constipation
Function of water
- Helps blood flow easily
- regulates blood temperature
- aids digestion
- lubricate and cushion joints
What is dehydration
Occurs when the water content of the body is too low
What health conditions can result from an underconsumption of calcium in childhood
Rickets
Fractures
Osteoporosis in later life
What is constipation ?
- 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
Name two health conditions individuals who under-consume water may be at risk of
- Dehydration
- Overheat – hyperthermia
- Pain in joints
- Constipation and colorectal cancer
What is dehydration
Occurs when the water content of the body is too low.
