Reading This Week: Concerns About Childhood Nutrition

The reading this week concerns nutrition during childhood

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. · This is her current diet intake: · - 7:30 am: · 8 oz. of tomato juice · - 12 p.m.: · 2 pieces of whole wheat bread, 3oz of lunchmeat, and 2 slices of tomato · 6 oz of low fat yogurt · Bottle of water · - 4 pm: · 1 large banana (maybe) · - 7 pm: · 1 cup of pasta · 3 oz of skinless chicken breast · ¼ cup of marinara sauce · 1 large salad (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots), no dressing · Bottle of water · 1. Describe one cognitive and one psychosocial change Becky may be experiencing as an adolescent. · 2. What are at least two assessment techniques to determine Becky’s nutritional status? Consider her height and weight, weight loss, and diet. · 3. On average, how many calories would Becky need on a daily basis? · 4. What nutrients would you make sure she is consuming? · 5. What are two social factors that influence the food choices and nutrition status of adolescence?

Paper For Above instruction

Adolescence is a critical developmental period characterized by various cognitive and psychosocial changes that significantly influence behavior, including dietary choices. A key cognitive change during this stage is the enhancement of abstract thinking, allowing adolescents like Becky to understand complex concepts about health and nutrition. Psychosocially, adolescents experience a desire for independence and peer acceptance, which can impact their eating behaviors and attitudes towards food. For Becky, these changes may manifest as a tendency to make autonomous food choices influenced by peer trends or body image concerns.

To accurately assess Becky’s nutritional status, various techniques should be employed. Firstly, anthropometric measurements—tracking her height and weight over time—are fundamental; noting her weight loss from 130 pounds to 116 pounds indicates potential nutritional concerns. Additionally, a dietary assessment, such as 24-hour dietary recall or food diaries, can evaluate her nutrient intake and eating patterns. Blood tests might also be warranted to measure levels of key nutrients such as iron, vitamin D, and B12, providing a comprehensive understanding of her nutritional health.

Becky’s caloric needs can be estimated using the Harris-Benedict equation, adjusted for activity level. Considering her age, height, weight, and activity level (1-hour daily exercise), her estimated daily caloric requirement is approximately 2,200-2,400 calories. However, given her recent weight loss and restricted intake, this needs to be tailored based on further assessment. Proper caloric intake is essential to support her growth, energy needs, and overall health during adolescence.

Ensuring Becky consumes a balanced array of nutrients is crucial. She needs sufficient intake of macronutrients—adequate carbohydrates for energy, protein for growth and repair, and healthy fats. Micronutrients such as iron, calcium, vitamin D, and folate are vital during adolescence for bone health and hematopoiesis. Her diet appears low in fruits and vegetables, so increasing intake of these foods will provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Special attention should be given to prevent deficiencies of iron and calcium, which are common in teen girls and critical for preventing anemia and supporting bone development.

Two social factors significantly influencing adolescent dietary habits include peer influence and media portrayal of body image. Peer acceptance often motivates teens to conform to certain diets or eating patterns to fit in, whether through shared food choices or weight-related behaviors. Media, particularly social media, promotes certain body ideals and diet trends that can influence adolescents’ perceptions of their bodies and eating behaviors. These factors can lead to disordered eating patterns, such as restrictive dieting or binge eating, emphasizing the need for targeted nutritional education and support.

References

• American Academy of Pediatrics. (2017). Pediatric nutrition handbook (8th ed.). American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Institute of Medicine and National Research Council. (2005). Dietary reference intakes for calcium and vitamin D. National Academies Press.
• National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2018). Adolescent health and nutrition. NIH Publication.
• Marini, M., et al. (2020). Nutritional status and dietary patterns among adolescents. Journal of Pediatric Health, 34(3), 245-259.
• Story, M., et al. (2014). Adolescents’ eating habits and influences: A review. Public Health Nutrition, 17(12), 2653–2665.
• Gordon, C. M., et al. (2017). Dietary considerations for adolescent girls. Journal of Adolescent Health, 60(2), 123-130.
• United States Department of Agriculture. (2020). Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. USDA.
• Ellison, P. T., et al. (2019). Impact of social media on adolescent eating behaviors. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 16, 87.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Adolescent growth and development. CDC.
• Hawkins, M., et al. (2021). Assessing nutritional status in adolescents. Clinical Nutrition, 40(5), 2957-2964.