1.4. Nutritional & dietary requirements

Question 1

What are DRV’s?-UK

Answer 1

-Dietary reference values
-are estimates of the nutritional requirements for different groups of healthy people in the UK population.
-Should be used as guides to ensure people are getting sufficient nutrients.

Question 2

What is EAR?-UK

Answer 2

-Estimated Average Requirement
-is an estimate of the average requirement for energy or a nutrient - approximately 50% of a group of people will require less, and 50% will require more.

Question 3

What is RNI?-UK

Answer 3

-Reference Nutrient Intake
- is the amount of a nutrient that is enough to ensure that the needs of nearly all the group of people (97.5%) are being met.

Question 4

What is LRNI?-UK

Answer 4

-Lower Reference Nutrient Intake
- The amount of a nutrient that is enough for only the small number of people that have low requirements (2.5%).

Question 5

What is Safe intake?-UK

Answer 5

-used where there is insufficient evidence to set an EAR, RNI or LRNI.
-The safe intake is the amount judged to be sufficient for everyone.

Question 6

How do dietary guidelines differ from the UK in USA and Canada?

Answer 6

-They have RDI’s- ref dietary intake which are nutritional reccomendations and a guide for healthy people
-Their EAR is average daily level sufficient to meet the needs of about 50% of the population.
-They have RDA’s- reccomended dietary allowance which is the average daily level of intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97%-98%) healthy people.
-AI-adequate intake- used when evidence is insufficient to develop an RDA
-UL- Tolerable Upper Intake Level maximum daily intake unlikely to cause adverse health effects.

Question 7

What are the factors that can affect nutritional needs of individuals?

Answer 7

Age
Gender
Body size (height and weight)
Physical activity level (PAL)
Health status
Pregnancy and lactation

Question 8

Why is diet important during infancy?

Answer 8

-Time of rapid growth and development

Question 9

Describe the diet of a child up to 6 months old?

Answer 9

Should consist of either breast or infant formula milk, specifically formulated to meet their nutritional needs.

Question 10

Diet of a 6 month old?

Answer 10

-Food should be slowly introduced to diet (weaning)- ensures they have sufficient nutrients for growth; particularly iron and protein.
-Foods should be semi-solid at first, to prevent choking and aid digestion.
-Baby cereals, pureed fruits and vegetables are usually first foods introduced.
Also Rice-based cereals as they have a low chance of food allergy or intolerance.

Question 11

Diet of a child 6 months- 5 year old?

Answer 11

-Recommended to be given nutritional supplements of vitamins A, C and D (difficult for young children to eat a varied diet)
-Breastfed infants reccomended via D supplement from birth (prevent deficiency)
-formula fed babies don’t need the supplement s the milk is already fortified

Question 12

Diet of a 1 year old?

Answer 12

-should start eating small portions of regular family meals.
-Low-fat foods, milk and foods high in salt and sugar aren’t suitable for under-twos
-Should eat a healthy balanced diet based on eat well guide-due to rise in obesity

Question 13

Why do nutritional needs increase during adolescence?

Answer 13

-is a time for rapid growth and physical body changes.
-allows for the growth of bones and muscles, and an increase in blood volume; as the body changes from child to adult.

Question 14

Why are energy requirements higher in adolescents?

Answer 14

-due to an increase in Basil Metabolic Rate (BMR) and higher activity levels at this age.
-Meals should be based around starchy carbohydrate foods, rather than foods high in fat and sugar, to prevent sudden weight gain.

Question 15

Why is protein requirements higher in adolescents?

Answer 15

-are the building blocks of muscles and body tissues so allow for rapid growth and development.

Question 16

Why is b-vitamins requirements higher in adolescents?

Answer 16

-are involved in protein synthesis and aid the release of energy from carbohydrates, proteins and fats. This increases the need of these vitamins during adolescence.

Question 17

Why is requirements for Calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus higher in adolescents?

Answer 17

-are required for the formation of healthy bones. If insufficient intakes occur at this stage of life, it may affect bone strength and density in the later years.

Question 18

Why is requirements for iron higher in adolescents?

Answer 18

-due to an increase in blood volume and muscle mass. Requirements are further increased in girls due to menstruation

Question 19

What happens to nutritional requirements in males from 19-50?

Answer 19

-period of rapid growth stops so requirements stays relatively the same unless due to illness

Question 20

Why may nutritional requirements differ within females from 19-50?

Answer 20

-May change after starting menopause - As menstruation ends iron requirements decrease .
- decline in levels of oestrogen also increases the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease so calcium and vitamin D requirements are higher to support bone density
-is important to eat a healthy, balanced diet to help prevent heart disease.

Question 21

What happens to energy requirements during elderly (50 +)

Answer 21

-decrease with age due to a reduction in activity levels and the slowing down of the metabolism (is dependant on individuals)
-Weight gain be a problem if intakes are not reduced (energy balance).

Question 22

What happens to protein requirements during elderly (50 +)

Answer 22

-increase a little due to the difficulty in storing amino acids effectively, therefore a consistent supply of complete proteins is beneficial.

Question 23

What vitamins are important within elderly?

Answer 23

Vitamin C and B12- deficiency is common

Question 24

What are the physical changes during elderly age that can affect nutritional needs?

Answer 24

-eyesight, mobility and motor skills may decline making it difficult to shop and prepare healthy meals.
-taste buds weaken and eating alone- can lead to a loss of interest in food.
-Tooth loss and wearing dentures- can impact food that can be eaten
-Constipation is common due to the gut slowing down, reduced fluid intake and a lack of physical activity. To combat this fluids and sufficient fibre are recommended.

Question 25

Why is important to get the right nutrients during pregnancy?

Answer 25

-need to consume an adequate diet for themselves and the developing foetus (baby).
-if inadequate mothers stores decrease, causing danger
-bad maternal diet can lead to low birth weight and birth defects

Question 26

Role of protein in pregnancy diet?

Answer 26

-must meet the demands of the growing foetus and placenta.(organ that supplies baby with nutrients, blood and gas exchange)
-extra protein is necessary to allow for growth of the uterus, breasts and an increase in blood supply. Mothers who are vegetarian or vegan should use complementary proteins to ensure they are consuming all the essential amino acids.

Question 26

Role of protein in pregnancy diet?

Answer 26

-must meet the demands of the growing foetus and placenta.(organ that supplies baby with nutrients, blood and gas exchange)
-extra protein is necessary to allow for growth of the uterus, breasts and an increase in blood supply. Mothers who are vegetarian or vegan should use complementary proteins to ensure they are consuming all the essential amino acids.

Question 27

What happens to energy requirements during pregnancy?

Answer 27

-slightly increased due to having a higher BMR in pregnancy. It is not necessary to ‘eat for two’, as pregnancy normally results in a decrease in activity levels.

Question 28

what happens to vitamin B and folate requirements during pregnancy

Answer 28

• required for the release of energy from carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
  -Vitamin B12 is important in the formation of healthy blood cells.
  -Folate or folic acid important in preventing neural tube defects in the foetus. A supplement of 400microg is recommended for women trying to conceive, taken up to the twelfth week of pregnancy; as it is difficult to consume sufficient from the diet alone.

Question 29

what happens to vitamin C and D requirements during pregnancy

Answer 29

C-important for the formation of healthy skin and body tissues. It also assists in the absorption of iron.
D-regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which are needed to keep bones and muscles healthy.

Question 30

Iron and calcium requirements during pregnancy?

Answer 30

Iron- requirements almost doubled in pregnancy due to iron being involved in the formation of red blood cells. Iron deficiency anaemia is common in pregnancy and an iron supplement may be recommended if blood levels are low.
Calcium- essential in the formation of bones and teeth in the unborn baby. High calcium foods should be consumed.

Question 31

Difference in nutritional requirements for gender?

Answer 31

-due to the difference in size and body mass and gender specific needs
Eg-females have lower energy requirements but have higher iron requirements to make up for menstrual losses
-Males require higher amounts of certain B vitamins and also zinc as its important in the reproductive system.

Question 32

How can body size effect nutritional needs?

Answer 32

-the bigger the body mass, the greater the person’s nutritional need will be.
-A person with a greater muscle mass would also require more of certain nutrients, due to the fact that muscle mass affects metabolism.

Question 33

What is PAL and what role does it play?

Answer 33

-physical activity level- affect the energy requirements
-used in combination with the Basil Metabolic Rate (BMR) to estimate the energy a person needs to consume in order to maintain a particular lifestyle.

Question 34

What is energy balance?

Answer 34

-the relationship between “energy in” (intake of food and fluids) and “energy out” (energy burned during the day).
-This relationship dictates whether a person’s weight increases, decreases, or stays the same.
-based on the rule of thermodynamics (the relationship between heat and other forms of energy).

Question 35

What does the body use water for?

Answer 35

-to maintain its temperature
-remove body waste
- as a transport medium for water soluble substances (vitamins B and C), —to lubricate your joints, mouth and digestive system.

Question 36

What is the use of labelling on food packaging?

Answer 36

-allow manufacturers to attract consumers to buy the product
-the main source of information about the contents

Question 37

What are the food labelling requirements?

Answer 37

-Name and description of the food
-Product recall information - name and address of the manufacturer and importer
-Country of origin
-Ingredients list - in descending order according to weight.
-Allergen information - common allergens must be highlighted in bold to alert those consumers
-Nutrition information - must be listed per serving and per 100g of product. -This is presented in the form of a table and includes energy, fat protein, and carbohydrates.
-Date marking - best before date on non-perishable foods or use by date on perishable, high risk foods
-Quantity
-Storage instructions - specific instructions for storage or handling of the food
-Cooking instructions - details of how the consumer should safely prepare the food for consumption

Question 38

What is the purpose of traffic light nutrition labelling?

Answer 38

-enables consumers to assess the product at a glance, so they can make informed decisions about the purchase and consumption of the product.

Question 39

What does traffic light labelling consist of?

Answer 39

-Energy given in kj and kcal
-Red light- high content, fine to have occasionally but not often
-Green light- low, meaning if there is a lot of green a product is healthier
-Amber- medium amount, okay to eat
-% at bottom- % of the reference intake per serving

Question 40

What are NRV’s Hong Kong?

Answer 40

-Nutrition reference values-set of recommended intakes of various nutrients that are based on scientific data.
-are more applicable for people in Hong Kong and the mainland, as they are developed especially for people of Chinese descent.