Nutrition For Healthy Growr, Development And Aging

Question 1

Describe guidelines for breastfeeding in infant nutrition, and the appropriate introduction of solids.

Answer 1

Breastfeeding: encourage exclusive breastfeeding up to until 6 months, then up to until 12 months with introduction of solid foods. Beyond is still beneficial. (Reason for human milk better than cow’s milk is higher whey protein content, lower protein, sodium and sat. Fat, which are tolerated better since infants’ kidney functions are underdeveloped.)

Introduction of solid foods: at around 5-6 months, because their neck muscles are more developed for swallowing actions.
introduce one food at a time (takes time to get used to them), puréed foods (vegetables and fruits, meat for iron as iron deficiency is common, legumes and tofu is vegetarian, cereal and rice), start with 1/2-1 tsp, increase to 1-2 tbsp, sometimes up to 20 offerings required to acquire acceptance.

Question 2

Discuss example food products currently available for toddlers, and discuss the role of food labeling, and avenues for advocacy to improve the food supply. (Extra notes needs to be added)

Answer 2

Example of food product for toddlers: Heinz fruit and veg shreds.
Not a great food choice:
1. Energy dense snack ( 18 g is equivalent to energy contained in 100 g of fresh apple).
2. High content of sugar.
3. Less fiber so less satisfying, therefore more likely to overeat, leading to excessive calorie intake.
4. Added sugar instead of natural sugar.

The role of food labelling: provide customers with more information that aims at improving their food selections. However, some could be abused by manufacturers.

1. Five star rating: many foods with high contents of added sugars, snack-like foods are rated highly. E.g. milo rated 4.5 stars but only when consumed with skim milk.
2. Traffic light rating system: for major nutrients they have red, orange and green. So if a content is high it will be rated red to warn the customers, hopefully promotes consciousness not to over-consume. (Statistically sugar and fat get the highest red ratings).

Question 3

Describe good eating habits for children and adolescents, associated with growth and good health.

Answer 3

1. Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from major food groups every day. These include vegetables and legumes, fruits, grains and cereals (majority should be high fiber content), lean meats and poultry as well as fish and beans, mostly reduced fat of milk and cheese.
2. Limit consumption of foods high in sat fat, added sugars and high in sodium. Including discretionary choices.
3. Take care to store and prepare the food.

Question 4

Describe key nutrients required for growth?

Answer 4

1. Zinc (more in males needed to produce semen.)
2. Iron (more in females needed during menstruation.)
3. Calcium (peak bone mineralization and growth in general during adolescence.) Debate over whether recommended amount is too high as evidence exists for too much dairy means body cannot absorb the extra calcium anyway.
4. Protein (more in males as they have higher muscle mass. )

Question 5

Identify examples of “limiting nutrients’ in childhood and adolescents, such as calcium and iron.

Answer 5

1. Zinc (more in males needed to produce semen.)
2. Iron (more in females needed during menstruation.)
3. Calcium (peak bone mineralization and growth in general during adolescence.) Debate over whether recommended amount is too high as evidence exists for too much dairy means body cannot absorb the extra calcium anyway.
4. Protein (more in males as they have higher muscle mass. )

Question 6

Describe the current eating habits of children and adolescents, and adults, using data from national nutrition surveys, including core and discretionary foods?

Answer 6

1. High consumption of discretionary foods: 35% of energy intake from discretionary foods.
2. High % of population consumed soft drinks (51% adolescent males, and 44% male adults).
3. Inadequate fruits and vegetable intake: Only 31% Australians met the guidelines for fruits. Only 4% met the required vegetable consumption of 5 serves per day i.e. 2.7 serves is the average.
4. Excessive free sugar intake that is accountable of dental health and weight gain: more % of free sugars from soft drinks and juices, both the relative contribution of each type of drink is the same.
   Within the aboriginal ad Torres Strait islander people population, males generally consume higher absolute amount of them.

Question 7

Identify factors associated with obesity, among children and adolescents.

Answer 7

1. Socioeconomic status: lower SES leads to more likeliness of being obese/overweight.
2. Environmental/social changes: influence of parents during adolescence (obese parents, double influence if both parents obese), reduced PA levels, excessive consumption of soft drinks, fruit juices and cordial or other discretionary foods, prolonged use of feeding bottles.
3. Minimal consumption of vegetables and fruits.
4. Prenatal? Smaller babies over-compensating i.e. Barker’s hypothesis. Smoking during pregnancy, excessive weight gain of pregnant mother.
5. Added sugars to food.

Question 8

Describe the amount and types of foods contributing to added sugar intake of Australian people, and awareness of risk for dental health and obesity.

Answer 8

Amount and types of foods contributing to added sugar intake of Australians: cordials, soft drinks, fruit juices, milk beverages, alcohol drinks, confectionaries like cookies and cupcakes. 14% of total energy was derived from free sugars for aborigines and Torres Strait islanders.

*Should reduce it to 10% of total energy intake to minimize the effect of dental health and obesity.