Nutritional requirements across fetal development through adolescence

¶ … features of nutrition by completing the table.

Development stage Key Aspects of Nutrition

Fetal Development (Maternal Nutrition)

Pregnant women need more food, a varied diet, and micronutrient supplements. Pregnant women also require more protein, iron, iodine, vitamin A, folate, and other nutrients both for themselves and the baby's physical and mental potential. Pregnant women should be careful to eat well and often in order to gain energy and weight. Mother's inadequate weight gain during pregnancy often results in low birth weight which may result in baby dying (Core)

Neonatal Infancy

Breast milk is best for the baby since it has the necessary vitamins and minerals for the baby to be healthy. Infant formulas are available for babies whose mothers are unable or choose not to breastfeed.

Infants can eat solids from 4 to 6 months of age. Foods that are unhealthy for infants of this age include eggs, honey, peanuts (including peanut butter) and other tree nuts. (Medline Plus)

Adolescence

- The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free and low-fat dairy products. The Guidelines also recommends that adolescents limit intake of solid fats (major sources of saturated and trans fatty acids), cholesterol, sodium, added sugars, and refined grains. It is important for adolescents to eat breakfast (CDC)

EVALUATE the main advantages and disadvantages of using the Eatwell Plate idea to a balanced diet. How effective is the 'Eatwell Plate ' concept likely to be in helping in the UK to achieve the WHO goals of promoting healthy eating and reducing childhood obesity?(6 marks)

The eat well plate shows the different types of food we need to eat -- and in what proportions -- to have a well-balanced and healthy diet.

The eatwell plate is effective in that it presents a visual picture of the recommended quantity of each portion. It is good for people who are visual learners. I see it, however, as a supplementary tool for those who are interested in working on their diet. Most people know the guidelines and the punctilio but lack the motivation. Sometimes, too, the strictures of the "eat well Plate' Can be intimidating such as the instruction to "eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and veg every day" (NHS Choices). Moreover, economics can become a factor too as in the exhortation to prefer wholefood. For these reason, I think the 'Eatwell Plate ' concept will likely be largely be ineffective in helping the UK to achieve the WHO goals of promoting healthy eating and reducing childhood obesity

Source

CDC . Nutrition Facts

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/nutrition/facts.htm

Core. Maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation http://www.coregroup.org/storage/documents/Workingpapers/MaternalNutritionDietaryGuide_AED.pdf

Gerber Early Childhood Nutrition: Toddlers to Preschoolers 12 -- 48 http://medical.gerber.com/nutritioneducation/Articles.aspx?articleId=1E341AFF-C8D7-4CBA-83EA-5B027517A690 Months

NHS Choices The eatwell plate http//www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/eatwellplate

Medline Plus Infant and Newborn Nutrition

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/infantandnewbornnutrition.html