Nutrition Assessment Part I: C ✓ Solved

NUTRITION ASSESSMENT PART I 2 Nutrition Assessment Part I: Cronometer

Report on the lunch menu for a 16-year-old female, 5'4" height, and 115 lbs based on Cronometer data. Analyze excess and deficit nutrients from meals over three days.

Day 1 shows excess nutrients including Vitamin B3, A, C, K, and Manganese predominantly from the grilled chicken wrap and French fries. Deficient nutrients include carbohydrates, vitamins B2, B5, B12, D, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and protein.

Day 2 presents no excess nutrients but shows deficits in various essential nutrients including water, omega-3, omega-6, Vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.

Day 3 indicates excess sodium and Vitamin B12 while deficiencies remain in several essentials, including Vitamin B5, D, E, K, folate, calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. The total analysis indicates a significant deficiency of essential nutrients.

Paper For Above Instructions

The importance of a balanced diet cannot be overstated, especially for adolescents as they are in a critical stage of growth and development. In analyzing the nutrition assessment from three days of lunch menus for a 16-year-old female, it becomes evident that there is a significant imbalance in nutrient intake as per findings recorded in Cronometer.

Analysis of Day 1 Lunch Menu

On Day 1, the lunch menu consisted of a grilled chicken wrap, French fries, blueberries, and strawberries. This selection provided excesses in several nutrients: Vitamin B3 (118%), Vitamin A (169%), Vitamin C (191%), Vitamin K (105%), and Manganese (159%). While these nutrients are indeed essential, their elevated percentages indicate that they might reach toxic levels if consistently consumed at these rates. For instance, the RDA for Vitamin A for females is set at 700 mcg, and excessive intake can lead to adverse health outcomes such as dizziness and nausea (National Institutes of Health, 2020).

However, the same meal also showed several significant nutrient deficits. Key deficits included carbohydrates (44%), Vitamin B2 (39%), B5 (42%), B12 (20%), Vitamin D (1%), folate (24%), calcium (19%), iron (27%), magnesium (46%), phosphorus (40%), zinc (36%), and protein (44%). These deficiencies indicate that while some nutrients were consumed in excess, many vital nutrients were lacking

.

Analysis of Day 2 Lunch Menu

The second day's menu was notably lacking in excess nutrients but exhibited a worrying array of deficiencies. Essential nutrients that were found to be deficient included omega-3 (47%), omega-6 (36%), water (13%), Vitamin B5 (32%), B12 (36%), Vitamins A (42%) and C (42%), Vitamin D (1%), Vitamin E (7%), Vitamin K (21%), calcium (41%), copper (31%), iron (48%), magnesium (25%), phosphorus (44%), and potassium (39%). The absence of excess nutrients is encouraging, yet the deficit of crucial vitamins and minerals suggests a need for a more thoughtfully constructed dietary plan.

Among the list of nutrients in deficit, water is critical. Insufficient hydration can lead to dehydration, commonly causing symptoms such as thirst and confusion (Lewis, 2020). Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for optimal brain function and mental health, while omega-6 fatty acids support immune functions (Robertson, 2020).

Analysis of Day 3 Lunch Menu

Day 3 presented a mix of excess sodium (284%) and Vitamin B12 from a meatball sub sandwich and salad dressing along with additional side items like garden salad, baby carrots, and fruit cocktail. While sodium is essential, excessive intake can lead to hypertension and related cardiovascular issues (Harvard School of Public Health, 2020). The deficits mirror those found in Day 1 and Day 2, with noted deficiencies including Vitamin B5 (32%), Vitamin D (0%), E (15%), K (30%), folate (32%), water (15%), calcium (34%), copper (48%), magnesium (21%), phosphorus (39%), and potassium (42%). Both calcium and potassium are essential for maintaining bone health and muscular function, particularly in adolescents who are physically active.

Conclusion

The findings highlight that this 16-year-old girl is deficient in numerous essential nutrients, thereby emphasizing the necessity to incorporate a wider variety of foods to achieve balanced nutrient intake. A well-structured menu should be adopted for her dietary choices, focusing particularly on enriching her diet with fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, lean protein, and whole grains that will enhance her overall nutrient profile.

Special attention should be given to hydration; increasing her water intake while ensuring that the consumption of vitamins and minerals remains within recommended levels (50% to 100% of the RDA) is crucial for her health and development. Maintaining dietary balance not only supports physical health but also strengthens the immune system which is particularly vital during adolescent growth spurts (Annigan, 2018).

References

  • Annigan, J. (2018, December 27). How too many nutrients can make you sick. Retrieved from Harvard School of Public Health.
  • Harvard School of Public Health. (2020, October 19). Salt and Sodium. The Nutrition Source.
  • Lewis, J. L. (2020). Dehydration - Hormonal and metabolic disorders - MSD manual consumer version. Retrieved from MSD Manuals.
  • National Institutes of Health. (2020, February 14). Office of Dietary Supplements - Vitamin A.
  • Robertson, R. (2020). Omega-3-6-9 fatty acids: A complete overview.
  • United States Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
  • Institute of Medicine. (2005). Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate.
  • Grotto, D., & Zidenberg-Cherr, S. (2004). Nutritional Considerations for Teenagers: A Review. Journal of Nutrition.
  • American Heart Association. (2018). Sodium and blood pressure.
  • World Health Organization. (2020). Healthy diet.

Related Assignments