Download NUTRITION: Diets for Individual Needs

Body Mass Index (BMI)
Your BMI measurement can be used to determine
obesity and the increased risk for various diseases
BMI is a screening tool used to measure weight
relative to height.
How to calculate BMI
BMI =
(weight in pounds)
x (703)
(height inches)x(height inches)
What the BMI numbers mean:
Below 18.5 Underweight
18.5 – 24.9 Normal
25.0 – 29.9 Overweight
30.0 and Above Obese
NUTRITION:
Diets for Individual Needs
Ms. Mai
Lawndale High School
Diets for Individual Needs
At different stages of life, people have
different nutritional needs
Although dietary guidelines still apply,
there are also individual needs that
require special consideration
pregnant women
adolescents and adults
athletes in training
people with food allergies
people with health conditions
Healthy Mothers and Babies
Good nutrition before and during
pregnancy is very important to the
health of the mother and her baby
During pregnancy, the fetus grows
rapidly while the mother supplies the
baby’s nutrients through her diet
Mothers need an increase amount of
protein, calcium, iron, and magnesium
during pregnancy
Healthy Mothers and Babies
Many mothers will take supplements
because it is difficult for them to obtain
enough nutrient from food alone
Sometimes mothers will try to limit her
caloric intake because of the weight gain,
which can deprive the baby of nutrients
On average, a mother should gain about
25-30 pounds during the pregnancy
(30-35 pounds if she is a teenager)
Healthy Mothers and Babies
During pregnancy, mothers should also
avoid drugs and alcohol because they
may damage the fetus
It is also good to limit medication, caffeine,
and tobacco because these often produce
smaller, less healthy babies (under 5½ lbs)
On average, mothers should intake about
500 extra Calories per day during pregnancy,
and afterwards if they plan to breast-feed
Adolescents
The total Calories needed during adolescent
years is typically higher than any other time
Adolescent girls = 1,800-2,200 Calorie/day
Adolescent boys = 2,600-2,900 Calories/day
This makes it easier for boys to get their
nutrients because they are eating more
Adolescents
Often times, adolescents will eat too much
protein and fat, and too little carbohydrates,
fruits, and vegetables
It is particularly important for girls to eat
enough Calcium to build strong bones and
protect against osteoporosis
Adults
At older stages of life, the body’s nutrient
needs remain the same, but fewer Calories
are needed to maintain body weight
Often times, an adult’s fat will increase
and muscle mass will decrease, but their
overall body weight will stay the same
Much of an adults poor health is due to
high levels of stress, overeating, and the
use of alcohol
Sports Nutrition
Although there may be many sports nutrition
diets, all nutritionists agree that adequate
water intake and high levels of carbs are the
most important requirement for athletes
An athlete’s high level of activity require
energy that is stored in the muscle after you
eat complex carbs (pasta, rice, potatoes)
Pre-Game Meals and Snacks
You ability to maintain high levels of
energy during an activity depends upon
what you eat before the activity
Nutritionists recommend small meals
eaten 2-3 hours before competition that
can be digested quickly
Student athletes often think that eating
candy and other sugars will help them
gain energy, but it actually hurts their
performance
Pre-Game Meals and Snacks
Candy bars have more fat than
carbohydrates and are difficult to digest
The body responds to the rise in sugar levels
by removing the sugar from the blood
As the athlete begins to exercise, the
blood sugar levels drop too low leaving
the athlete very weak
Fluids
The most important need for an athlete is
adequate fluids
In 1 hour of heavy activity, the body may
lose 2-3 quarts of water
It is important to drink plenty of water
before, during, and after exercise
As you sweat, you lose both water and
electrolytes (Sodium, Chlorine, Calcium)
It is important to replace those lost electrolytes
at your next meal, not eat salt tablets
Increasing Strength
Most people in the US eat more protein
than their bodies need
For people who are not active, the extra
protein is converted into fat
For active people who exercise, the extra
protein can be used to build muscle
If muscle builders eat balanced meals,
they do not need protein drinks, extra
vitamins, or other supplements
Special Needs: Diabetes
When carbohydrates are digested,
glucose is produced and enters the blood
Insulin is a hormone needed for glucose
to go from the blood into the cells
(converted to energy)
If there is enough insulin in the body, the
glucose is converted into energy
Diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus is the condition where
the body does not produce insulin, or
has too little insulin
People with diabetes have problems
metabolizing carbohydrates, protein, and
fat, and have higher risks of kidney
problems, heart disease, and blindness
Diabetes is usually genetic, or due to obesity
Diabetes
Although no cure has been found yet,
daily injections of insulin and a
controlled diet can help diabetics
A good diet for diabetics is high in fiber
and low in cholesterol and fat
Diabetics should monitor their intake of
high-sugar foods, and eat regular meals
Special Needs: Food Allergies
Sometimes, people have unpleasant
reactions to milk, wheat, eggs, fish,
shellfish, or nuts
Food allergy is a condition in which the
body will release substances (histamine) to
the surrounding tissues in response to food
Most reactions are digestive disorders,
stomach pains, diarrhea, or breathing
problems
Food Allergies
Anaphylactic shock is when the entire
body is affected by the histamine the
body releases
A person can go into shock or die if
medical help is not obtained immediately
Another food allergens is sulfite (a food
additive used to prevent discoloration or
spoiling of foods such as grapes and drinks)
Food Allergies
The FDA banned the use of sulfites in
salad bars because of the potential for
allergic reactions (people with asthma)
Another food additive is Monosodium
Glutamate (MSG) which is used to
flavor many Asian foods
Reading food labels carefully and asking
restaurant questions are ways to
prevent allergic reactions
Special Needs: Heart Disease
The American Heart Association says
that 1 in 4 people in the US have some
form of heart disease
People with high blood pressure and
cholesterol levels are at greater risks for
heart disease
Diets that are high is fats and sodium
are directly related to heart disease
Strategies for Reducing Sodium
Taste your food before salting it
Choose fresh and plain vegetables
instead of salted canned vegetables
Choose fresh meat instead of canned
or processed meat
Go easy on condiments (sauce,
dressing)
Check labels for sodium amounts
In Conclusion…
Although there are dietary guidelines
for nutritional needs, a person’s stage
of life and activity level are also
important in determining these needs
Different people may need to follow
different nutritional guidelines to feel
healthy and perform at their best
Consider your personal circumstances in
order to choose the diet that is best for you