3.1.6 (biological reasons) Flashcards
Biological reasons for differences in requirements
Age, pregnancy + lactation, sex, activity levels.
Prenatal
Calcium (development of skeletal system), folate (reduce risk of neural tube defects), iron (increase red blood cell prod).
- Pregnant mother eat a balanced diet.
Infancy
Calcium (bone growth + dev), protein (rapid growth + development).
- Infants consume breast milk, + non-low fat dairy foods.
Childhood
Calcium (bone growth + dev), CHO (energy source), iron (red blood cell prod).
- Eat a balanced diet.
Youth
CHO (energy source), calcium (forming peak bone mass), vitamin C (antioxidant).
- Eat a balanced diet.
Adulthood
Protein (repair of body tissues + cells), calcium (maintain body density), iron (red blood cell prod).
- Eat a balanced diet inc low
Late adulthood
Calcium (especially important for women in menopause), fibre (prevent constipation), protein (repair of body tissues + cells).
- Eat balanced diet.
Iron in pregancy
Needed for formation of red blood cells being developed for growing foetus.
Fibre in pregnancy
Helps avoid constipation while pregnant.
Folate in pregnancy
Aids in the formation of the brain + spinal cord of foetus (insufficient amounts can lead to neural tube defects).
Calcium in pregnancy
Needed to provide bone growth for foetus + formation of tooth buds.
- Insufficient = use calcium stored in mother’s bones = osteoporosis.
Lactation - water/fluids
Major component of breast milk is water.
Lactation - energy
More energy to ensure that the physiological process that the body uses to make breast milk can occur effectively.
Sex - males
Generally:
- Have greater muscle mass
- Weigh more
- Are taller
Sex - females
Experience menstruation + menopause, can support pregnancy + lactation.
