CHAPTER 14Diet during Young and Middle Adulthood

Objectives

Identify nutrient needs of young and middle-aged adults

Explain sensible, long-range weight control

Discuss importance of exercise in weight control

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Objectives

Discuss diet-related diseases that can be prevented by good nutrition: Osteoporosis, heart disease, and diabetes

Adulthood

Broadly divided into three periods: Young adulthood

Age 18 to 40 Middle period

Age 40 to 65 Late adulthood

Over age 65

Nutrient Requirements

Growth usually complete by age 25 Nutrient requirements of healthy adults

during these years change very little Iron requirement for women higher than

men until after menopause

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Nutrient Requirements

Daily protein requirement: 0.8 g per kilogram of body weight

Current daily calcium requirement for age 19 to 50: 1,000 mg

Daily vitamin D requirement: 5 g

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Nutrient Requirements

Both calcium and vitamin D essential for strong bones Three glasses of milk per day nearly fulfill

calcium and vitamin D requirements Bone loss begins slowly around age 35

to 40

Stop and Share

Consider the following scenario: You are teaching a class about rheumatoid

arthritis to a group of middle-aged adults. A participant asks the following question: “What diet changes can I make to prevent rheumatoid arthritis?” How do you respond?

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Stop and Share

Determined by research that diet changes have no effect

Maintain healthy diet that includes adequate calcium and protein

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Stop and Share

Take multiple vitamin containing vitamin D and a calcium supplement daily

Discuss omega-3 fatty acids with physician Helpful in reducing inflammation

Calorie Requirements

Begin to diminish after age 25 when basal metabolic rate decreases

Determined primarily by activity and amount of lean muscle mass

Weight gain occurs if calories exceed one’s need

Special Considerations for the Adult Concerns about weight, cost of food, or

time may lead to nutrient deficiencies Selection of food often based on

convenience and flavor Rather than nutritional content of food

Fast foods and prepared meals lead to excess consumption of fat, sugar, salt, and calories

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Special Considerations for the Adult Weight control

One of the top concerns of adults in U.S. today

Excess weight can lead to diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and hypertension

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Special Considerations for the Adult Overweight people:

Poor risk for surgery Live shorter lives Prone to social and emotional problems

Most common cause of being overweight: Energy imbalance

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Special Considerations for the Adult Other causes of being overweight:

Genetics Hypothyroid condition

Excess of 3,500 calories results in weight gain of 1 pound

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Special Considerations for the Adult Best solution for weight control:

Increased exercise combined with reduced caloric intake

Healthy eating plan should follow MyPyramid guidelines

Considerations for the Health Care Professional Young and middle years of life busy

Many responsibilities Most people feel they have too many

things to do and too little time to accomplish them

Health problems during these years can be psychologically devastating

Conclusion

Although calorie requirements diminish after age 25, most nutrient requirements do not diminish

Food must be selected with care as one ages to ensure that nutrient requirements met without exceeding caloric needs

Being overweight can cause health problems