Nutrition During Childhood And Adolescence: Key Concepts

Nutrition During Childhood and Adolescent Development: Key Concepts and Practical Assessments

Cleaned Assignment Instructions

The reading this week concerns nutrition during childhood. After the readings, you should be able to discuss and explain the nutrient needs during childhood (ages 1-10 years) and different nutrient needs for certain conditions. These readings will prepare you to speak with parents and children about providing and consuming proper nutrition. The following reading is available in your Digital Book: · Chapter 7, pages 237–246: “Special Topics in School-Aged Nutrition: Pediatric Vegetarianism, Childhood Overweight, and Food Allergies” · Chapter 8, pages 279–289, 299–308: “Special Topics in Preadolescence and Adolescent Nutrition: Dietary Guidelines for Athletes, Pediatric Diabetes, and Disordered Eating” Answer the following questions: · Becky is a 15 year old female present in your office. For the past 6 months she has only been eating two meals per day and runs about 1 hour per day. She has little time to spend with friends because she is taking advanced classes and has to study every day. She goes to bed around 2 a.m. after finishing up her homework. She then wakes up at 7 a.m. and needs to be at school by 7:45 a.m. Her current height is 5’8” and weight is 116 pounds. Six months ago she thinks she weighed 130 pounds. Her current diet intake includes: 7:30 am: 8 oz. of tomato juice; 12 p.m.: 2 pieces of whole wheat bread, 3 oz of lunchmeat, 2 slices of tomato, 6 oz of low-fat yogurt, bottle of water; 4 pm: 1 large banana; 7 pm: 1 cup of pasta, 3 oz of skinless chicken breast, ¼ cup marinara sauce, large salad, water. Answer questions regarding Becky’s cognitive and psychosocial changes, assessment techniques, caloric needs, nutrients intake, and social factors influencing her nutrition.

Paper For Above instruction

Adolescence is a critical developmental period characterized by substantial physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes. Understanding these changes is essential for health professionals to offer appropriate nutritional guidance and intervention strategies. In the case of Becky, a 15-year-old female presenting with drastic weight loss, irregular eating habits, and lifestyle stressors, a comprehensive assessment of her physical and psychological health is imperative.

Cognitive and Psychosocial Changes During Adolescence

Cognitively, adolescents like Becky experience significant brain development, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which enhances executive functions such as decision-making, impulse control, and forethought (Giedd, 2015). However, this development is often accompanied by increased vulnerability to risk-taking behaviors, including disordered eating and neglect of nutritional needs. Psychosocially, adolescence is marked by a heightened focus on peer acceptance, identity formation, and independence (Steinberg, 2014). For Becky, her limited social interactions and busy schedule may exacerbate feelings of isolation or stress, contributing to her poor nutritional habits and weight loss.

Assessment Techniques for Nutritional Status

Evaluating Becky's nutritional status requires a multidimensional approach. First, anthropometric measurements such as BMI, growth charts, and weight trends help assess physical health. Becky’s current BMI is approximately 17.4, which is below the 5th percentile for her age and height, indicating undernutrition (CDC, 2000). Monitoring her weight history, noting her approximate reduction from 130 pounds to 116 pounds over six months, underscores a concerning rate of weight loss.

Second, dietary assessment methods such as 24-hour dietary recall, food frequency questionnaires, and food diaries are vital. Becky's intake reveals significant caloric restriction and poor meal distribution, contributing to potential deficiencies. Third, biochemical markers including serum albumin, hemoglobin, iron levels, and micronutrient panels provide objective data on her nutritional status. Additionally, clinical assessments for signs of deficiencies or anemia, as well as psychological evaluations for disordered eating patterns, can inform diagnosis and tailored interventions.

Caloric Needs of Adolescents Like Becky

Estimating Becky's caloric requirements involves considering her age, sex, activity level, and growth status. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (USDA, 2020), a 15-year-old female with moderate activity necessitates approximately 2,200 calories daily. However, given her current sedentary yet active lifestyle (1 hour of physical activity), her caloric needs are likely around 2,000–2,200 calories. Her significant weight loss suggests caloric deficiency, highlighting the importance of structured nutritional rehabilitation to meet her energy requirements and support growth and development.

Essential Nutrients for Adolescents

Ensuring adequate intake of key nutrients is critical. Calcium and vitamin D are vital for peak bone mass development (Carmichael & Henry, 2014). Iron intake is crucial to prevent anemia, especially considering her weight loss and potential deficiencies (Hoffman et al., 2017). Protein is necessary for tissue repair and growth, while carbohydrates are the primary energy source. Vitamins A, C, and E support immune function and skin health, whereas folate and B vitamins facilitate cognitive development. A balanced diet with adequate fruits, vegetables, dairy, lean proteins, and whole grains is essential to fulfill these needs.

Social Factors Influencing Food Choices and Nutrition

Two key social factors influencing adolescent nutrition include peer influence and socio-economic circumstances. Peer pressure can sway adolescents toward unhealthy eating behaviors, such as restrictive diets or fad foods, which may replicate Becky's disordered eating pattern (Story et al., 2002). Socio-economic status also impacts access to nutritious foods, affecting diet quality and diversity (Huang et al., 2007). Limited resources can restrict availability of fresh produce and lean proteins, contributing to nutritional deficiencies.

Conclusion

In summary, adolescence involves complex cognitive, emotional, and physical changes that influence nutritional needs and behaviors. For Becky, targeted nutritional assessment and intervention are necessary to address her weight loss, inadequate intake, and psychosocial stressors. A multidisciplinary approach involving dietitians, psychologists, and physicians can optimize her recovery and support her growth, academic performance, and mental health.

References

  • Carmichael, A., & Henry, R. (2014). Nutritional needs during adolescence. Journal of Pediatric Nutrition, 2(3), 45-52.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2000). Growth charts: United States. MMWR Supplement, 49(3), 1-66.
  • Giedd, J. N. (2015). The teenage brain: Insights from neuroimaging. Journal of Neuroscience, 35(25), 9325-9330.
  • Hoffman, S. J., et al. (2017). Iron deficiency in adolescents: A review. Nutrition Reviews, 75(8), 687-695.
  • Huang, D., et al. (2007). Socioeconomic status and access to nutritious foods. Public Health Reports, 122(4), 467-474.
  • Steinberg, L. (2014). Adolescence. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Story, M., et al. (2002). Peer influence on adolescent dietary behaviors. Journal of Adolescent Health, 31(4), 187-193.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2020). Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.
  • Wiley, J., & Kinney, M. (2017). Nutrition assessment techniques. Advances in Food Technology, 3(2), 78-85.

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