Good Nutrition for Life

Question 1

Important Starts to have good nutrition for life

Answer 1

Parents can take steps to make sure their baby is as healthy/strong as possible
-Starts even before pregnancy

Question 2

Infant mortality worldwide

Answer 2

• Primarily due to low birth weight and preterm births
• Weighing less than 5.5 lbs.
• Born at or before 37th week

Question 3

Infant Mortality is Attributed to:

Answer 3

• Poverty
• Poor nutrition
• Limited access of health care
• Maternal lifestyle (drugs, cigarettes, alcohol)

Question 4

Fetus relies on mother’s nutrition for…

Answer 4

Growth & development

-Fetus can be harmed by too much or too little nutrients

Question 5

Critical Period for Nutrition during Pregnancy

Answer 5

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

Question 6

The fetus receives an adequate supply of nutrients only if…

Answer 6

The mother’s intake is sufficient to maintain her own health (Newborns can have nutrient deficiencies or overdoses not seen in their mothers)

Question 7

Factors Influencing Birth-weight

Answer 7

• 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

Question 8

Primary nutritional concerns during pregnancy

Answer 8

• Calories
• Folate (B9)
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin A
• Calcium
• Vitamin D
• Iron
• EPA & DHA

Question 9

Folate B9

Answer 9

Protein tissue construction

Question 10

Folate B9 Deficiency

Answer 10

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)

Question 11

Sources of Folate B9

Answer 11

• Fortified cereals

- Folic acid supplements

Question 12

Vitamin A EPA & DHA

Answer 12

• 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

Question 13

Recommended amount of Vitamin A EPA & DHA

Answer 13

Recommended that women consume 300 mg of EPA & DHA

-Most women in the US consume half the recommended amount

Question 14

Too little Vitamin A EPA & DHA

Answer 14

Poor fetal growth

Question 15

Too much Vitamin A EPA & DHA

Answer 15

Fetal malformation (retinal supplements)

• Upper limits: 5,000 IU retinol/day
• Beta-carotene is not harmful

Question 16

Calcium

Answer 16

• Women who consume low-calcium diets lose calcium from long bones during pregnancy
• Calcium uptake is highest during fetal bone mineralization (third trimester)

Question 17

Vitamin D Deficiency

Answer 17

Compromises fetal growth and bone development, and may increase risk of chronic disease later in life

Question 18

Why is it difficult for pregnant women to get enough iron?

Answer 18

Because of large increases in need, it is difficult for pregnant women to get enough iron from foods
-Iron supplements

Question 19

Iodine

Answer 19

Iodine is important for thyroid function, and protein tissue construction and maintenance

Question 20

Iodine Deficiency

Answer 20

Deficiency can cause mental and growth malformation in children

Question 21

Good Diet for Pregnancy

Answer 21

A healthy diet contains all nutrients needed for pregnancy (except possibly iron)
Pregnancy diets:
-Sufficient nutrients, fluid, and fiber
-No alcohol

Question 22

Ideally suited Breast Feeding for infant nutrition and health

Answer 22

• 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

Question 23

Health initiatives recommended that when Breast Feeding…

Answer 23

• 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

Question 24

Breast Feeding how does it work?

Answer 24

-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)

Question 25

Breast-feeding requires a nutrient-dense diet

Answer 25

-More calories from food @ 30%
-High DHA requirement
(Anything a woman consumes is also in breast milk)

Question 26

Insufficient calories reduces milk production

Answer 26

Limit weight loss to 1 pound/week

Question 27

Infants

Answer 27

• 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

Question 28

Foods to avoid feeding Infants

Answer 28

• Sweetened beverages cause “baby bottle tooth decay”

- No low-fat foods or un-pasteurized honey

Question 29

Infants food preferences

Answer 29

• 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)