All People Need The Same Nutrients, But The Amounts Vary

All People Need The Same Nutrients But The Amounts Will Vary Dependin

All people need the same nutrients, but the amounts will vary depending on their stage in life such as infants, children, adolescents, pregnancy, adults, and older adults. For example, a pregnant woman will need to make sure she has a proper diet before, during, and after the pregnancy. A poor diet before and during the pregnancy may affect the health and development of her infant. She will also need to make sure and maintain a nutritionally balanced diet after the pregnancy, especially if she plans to breastfeed her infant. After studying Module 5: Lecture Materials & Resources, answer the following: review figure 10-3 Comparison of Selected Nutrient Recommendations for Nonpregnant, Pregnant, and Lactating Women in text and compare the recommended percent allowances for: Iron – Who (nonpregnant, pregnant, lactating) needs it more and why? Ellen is an 18-year-old single mother of a six-month infant; she works at a convenience store and makes minimum wage. Ellen has limited financial means and needs assistance. Navigate to Floridahealth.gov: to an external site. and share at least two (3) examples of how food assistance programs can help Ellen’s infant and one (1) example of why nutrition is important for an infant – provide a full paragraph. Miguel is a 75-year older adult and has been diagnosed with early macular degeneration. Explain what macular degeneration is and share 2 vitamins or minerals that help reduce progression of the disease. Your initial post should be at least 400 words, formatted, and cited in the current APA style with support from the textbook and the sources provided. You should respond to at least two of your peers by extending, refuting/correcting, or adding additional nuance to their post.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding Nutrient Needs Across Life Stages and Supporting Infant Nutrition and Eye Health in Older Adults

Nutrition is fundamental to health at every stage of life, but the specific requirements for essential nutrients vary according to age, physiological status, and health conditions. Critical among these are iron needs, which fluctuate based on life stages such as pregnancy and lactation. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2020), nonpregnant women of reproductive age require about 18 mg of iron daily, whereas pregnant women need approximately 27 mg, reflecting the increased blood volume and fetal development demands during pregnancy. Lactating women require slightly less iron—around 9-10 mg—since physiological changes during breastfeeding reduce iron loss. Iron needs are highest during pregnancy because of increased blood volume and fetal tissue growth, requiring greater iron intake to support both maternal and fetal health (USDA, 2020). This elevated demand underscores the importance of adequate iron consumption during pregnancy to prevent iron-deficiency anemia, which could impair oxygen transport and fetal development.

Supporting infants and vulnerable populations through food assistance programs is crucial, especially for economically disadvantaged families like Ellen, a young mother with limited income. Programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provide essential nutritional support. SNAP helps Ellen purchase nutritious foods, ensuring her infant receives adequate calories and essential nutrients. WIC specifically offers supplemental nutritious foods tailored for infants, including formula, cereals, and fruits, along with nutritional education that benefits the infant's growth and development (USDA, 2023). Additionally, WIC's screening and counseling promote healthy feeding practices, which are vital during the first months of life when rapid growth and development occur. Proper nutrition during infancy is critical because this period lays the foundation for lifelong health, supporting brain development, immune function, and physical growth. Malnutrition or nutrient deficiencies in infancy can lead to irreversible developmental delays and increased susceptibility to illness (WHO, 2022).

In older adults like Miguel, early macular degeneration is a progressive eye disease that damages the retina's central region, known as the macula, leading to loss of central vision essential for activities like reading, recognizing faces, and driving. This condition results from degenerative changes in the retinal cells, often associated with aging, oxidative stress, and genetic factors (American Optometric Association, 2021). Research indicates that specific vitamins and minerals can slow the progression of macular degeneration. For instance, lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids found in green leafy vegetables, accumulate in the retina and act as antioxidants, protecting against oxidative damage to retinal cells. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) also demonstrated that high-dose supplementation with vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and copper could reduce the risk of progression in intermediate stages of the disease (K trials, 2001). These nutrients help neutralize free radicals, decrease inflammation, and maintain the health of retinal tissues, thereby potentially delaying vision loss (Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group, 2001).

References

  • Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. (2001). A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss: AREDS report no. 8. Archives of Ophthalmology, 119(10), 1417-1436.
  • American Optometric Association. (2021). Macular Degeneration. https://www.aoa.org/healthy-visual-eyes/eye-health/diseases-and-conditions/macular-degeneration
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2020). Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2023). Food assistance programs. https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program
  • World Health Organization. (2022). Infant nutrition and development. https://www.who.int/health-topics/infant-nutrition#tab=tab_1

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