Good Nutrition for Life Flashcards
Important Starts to have good nutrition for life
Parents can take steps to make sure their baby is as healthy/strong as possible
-Starts even before pregnancy
Infant mortality worldwide
- Primarily due to low birth weight and preterm births
- Weighing less than 5.5 lbs.
- Born at or before 37th week
Infant Mortality is Attributed to:
- Poverty
- Poor nutrition
- Limited access of health care
- Maternal lifestyle (drugs, cigarettes, alcohol)
Fetus relies on mother’s nutrition for…
Growth & development
-Fetus can be harmed by too much or too little nutrients
Critical Period for Nutrition during Pregnancy
Specific interval of time in which cells of a tissue or organ are genetically programmed to multiply
-If nutrients are not available during the specific time interval, growth and development of the tissue or organ are permanently impaired
Critical periods of cell multiplication are most intensive in the first months of pregnancy, when fetal tissues and organs form rapidly
-Most growth occurs later in pregnancy
The fetus receives an adequate supply of nutrients only if…
The mother’s intake is sufficient to maintain her own health (Newborns can have nutrient deficiencies or overdoses not seen in their mothers)
Factors Influencing Birth-weight
- Duration of pregnancy
- Prenatal weight gain
- Pre-pregnancy weight status
- Smoking
- Weight gain should result from a high-quality diet that leads to gradual and consistent weight gain throughout pregnancy
Primary nutritional concerns during pregnancy
- Calories
- Folate (B9)
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin A
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
- Iron
- EPA & DHA
Folate B9
Protein tissue construction
Folate B9 Deficiency
Deficiency associated with fetal growth failure and malformations (neural tube defects- spina bifida)
-Neural tube defects form before 30 days after conception (it is important that women consume enough folate before pregnancy
600 mcg/day)
Sources of Folate B9
- Fortified cereals
- Folic acid supplements
Vitamin A EPA & DHA
- Essential fatty acids required for development of vision and central nervous system (Omega 3 fatty acids)
- Linked to vision, intelligence, mature central nervous system function
Recommended amount of Vitamin A EPA & DHA
Recommended that women consume 300 mg of EPA & DHA
-Most women in the US consume half the recommended amount
Too little Vitamin A EPA & DHA
Poor fetal growth
Too much Vitamin A EPA & DHA
Fetal malformation (retinal supplements)
- Upper limits: 5,000 IU retinol/day
- Beta-carotene is not harmful
Calcium
- Women who consume low-calcium diets lose calcium from long bones during pregnancy
- Calcium uptake is highest during fetal bone mineralization (third trimester)
Vitamin D Deficiency
Compromises fetal growth and bone development, and may increase risk of chronic disease later in life
Why is it difficult for pregnant women to get enough iron?
Because of large increases in need, it is difficult for pregnant women to get enough iron from foods
-Iron supplements
Iodine
Iodine is important for thyroid function, and protein tissue construction and maintenance
Iodine Deficiency
Deficiency can cause mental and growth malformation in children
Good Diet for Pregnancy
A healthy diet contains all nutrients needed for pregnancy (except possibly iron)
Pregnancy diets:
-Sufficient nutrients, fluid, and fiber
-No alcohol
Ideally suited Breast Feeding for infant nutrition and health
- Is complete nutrition for infants 4-6 months old
- Protects against infectious diseases
- Decreases risk of some diseases in childhood
- Promotes optimal development of nervous system and eyes
Health initiatives recommended that when Breast Feeding…
- Health care workers encourage and facilitate breastfeeding
- “How-to” advice and problem solving be available from qualified health-care staff
- Workplaces have on-site child care facilities and private rooms for breast-feeding
Breast Feeding how does it work?
-Body prepares for breast feeding during pregnancy
-Hormonal changes that occur at delivery signal milk production
(Colostrum: produced during the first three days after delivery)
-Contains a high level of protein, minerals, antibodies
(The body adapts to need as the baby grows)
Breast-feeding requires a nutrient-dense diet
-More calories from food @ 30%
-High DHA requirement
(Anything a woman consumes is also in breast milk)
Insufficient calories reduces milk production
Limit weight loss to 1 pound/week
Infants
- Infants should get iron-fortified cereal, and basic strained foods
- At 9 months, infants are ready for soft, mashed foods
- Adult-type foods after 12 months
Foods to avoid feeding Infants
- Sweetened beverages cause “baby bottle tooth decay”
- No low-fat foods or un-pasteurized honey
Infants food preferences
- Food preferences are learned, and are unique to each individual
- Infants and young children should be offered a wide variety of nutritious foods (how much to eat is left up to the child)
