Human needs of nutrients across the life span | CHAPTER 7 | Nutrition and Dietetics

Human needs of nutrients across the life span – This book covers the entire syllabus of “Nutrition and Dietetics” prescribed by BNMC for all Diploma in Nursing Science and Midwifery students. We tried to accommodate the latest information and topics. This book is an examination-friendly setup according to the teachers’ lectures and examination questions.

At the end of the book previous university questions are given. We hope in touch with the book students’ knowledge will be upgraded and flourish. The unique way of presentation may make your reading of the book a pleasurable experience.

Human needs of nutrients across the life span

Nutritional Requirements of Infants:

1. An infant below the age of six months needs 120 calories and 2.3 grams of protein per kg of body weight besides minerals and vitamins.

2. His needs are met through mother’s milk if the mother’s milk is adequate.

3. About 600 ml of breast milk are secreted daily by mothers during the first six months of lactation and this amount is sufficient to meet the needs of infants.

4. Human milk yields about 65 calories per 100 g of milk.

(Ref by: T. K. Indrani/1/120)

Baby’s Need Supplementary Food:

• After the age of six months the output of breast milk decreases, while the nutritional requirement increases. Thus an infant aged 6 to 12 months need about 800 calories of energy and 13 gram-s of protein
• But by this age, the mother’s milk probably supplies not more than 300 calories of energy and 5 grams of protein. That is why supplementary feeding of the infant must be started from the age of 5 to 6 months
• In other words the child has to be gradually weaned. Because malnutrition is a big problem in Bangladesh, breast feeding should be continued throughout the first year so that the infant continues to obtain small quantities of valuable protein from mother’s milk.

(Ref: T. K. Indrani/1/120)

Nutritional Needs For Pre-School Children:

Children in the group 1 to 5 years need special attention. They show a good deal of physical activity, and growth. Therefore, they need extra protein, vitamin and minerals. The energy requirement of a child aged one year is about 1,000 kcal daily. After the age of on year, the energy needs may be calculated by adding 100 kcal for every year of life.

Children between the ages 1 to 5 years are often neglected and underfed by their mothers. This is because mothers do not know that these children need more food for their size than adults. In many poor family young children are breast-fed until they are 2-3 years and are breast-fed until they ate 2-3 years and a not given other foods eaten by the rest of the family. This practice results in a high incidence of kwashiorkor and marasmus.

(Ref: T. K. Indrani/1/122)

Diet Chart of a Growing Child:

1. Energy requirement: With advance in age, there is increase in calorie requirements of the child due to more physical activities on their part. The energy requirement of a child aged 1 year is about 1,000 kcal/day. After the age of 1 year, the energy need can be computed by adding 100 kcal for every year of life. Thus, a child aged 5 years needs 1500 kcal/day.

2. Proteins: Extra proteins are needed to ensure proper growth of their tissues. 8 to 10% of the energy need may be given as proteins.

3. Calcium and phosphorus are required for the growth of bones and teeth.

4. Iron for haemoglobin.

5. Adequate amount of vitamins.

(Ref: K. Park/24h)

Diet Chart of A Pregnant Woman:

1. Energy intake: An additional minimum intake of 200 kcal/day during the second and third trimesters.

2. Proteins: An additional allowance of 14 g/day of dietary protein.

3. Other nutrients: A regular and adequate intake of all other nutrients, especially iron, folic acid and calcium.

4. Additional allowance for pregnant mother:

Vulnerable Group Who Needs Special Attention:

1. Infant: birth to one Year

2. Children: 1-3 Years.

3. Children: 4-6 Years.

4. School children and adolescents

5. Pregnant and lactating mothers’

6. Old People

7. The sick who need a modified diet

(Ref: T. K. Indrani/1/122)

Diet of lactating mother

1. Energy intake: Additional intake of 550 kcal/day for the first 6 months and 400 kcal/day for the period from 6 months to 1 year.

2. Proteins: An additional allowance of 25 g/day.

3. Other nutrients: A regular and adequate intake of all other nutrients, especially vitamin C.

Additional allowance for lactating mother:

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• Nutrition and Dietetics | Diploma in Nursing Science and Midwifery