This document discusses nutritional needs for different age groups and diet-related health problems. It begins by explaining the UK Eatwell Guide for healthy eating and then describes nutritional requirements that change throughout life, such as the need for protein and calcium during growth periods. Specific age groups discussed include children ages 2-5, 5-12, teenagers, adults, pregnant women, and elderly adults. The document also identifies potential health conditions from poor diets, such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. It provides tasks for learning about menu planning based on nutritional needs and researching causes and effects of coronary heart disease and iron deficiency.

1. s.
LEARNING
INTENTIONS
Students can identify foods sources of nutrients and the functions of various nutrients.
Nutritional needs
Learning objectives:
• Describe what the Eatwell guide is
• Explain why different age groups have different nutritional needs
• Explain what health conditions can occur if a diet is not good

2. s.
LEARNING
INTENTIONS
Students can identify foods sources of nutrients and the functions of various nutrients.
The Eatwell Guide
• This guide has been produced by the government to
guide people about what foods they should be eating
to stay healthy.
Video to show how the Eatwell
Guide should be used

3. s.
LEARNING
INTENTIONS
Students can identify foods sources of nutrients and the functions of various nutrients.
Nutritional Needs of Different Age Groups

4. s.
LEARNING
INTENTIONS
Students can identify foods sources of nutrients and the functions of various nutrients.
Everyone should follow the Eatwell Guide BUT Nutritional needs
do change throughout each stage of our lives.
Age of child Requirement’s
2-5 year
olds
Should start to follow the Eatwell guide
They have small stomachs so should have small, frequent meals to get enough energy
High calcium levels are needed for growth of strong bones
A varied diet is important to try to prevent fussiness
5-12 year
olds
Children are growing quickly and are very active – they need lots of energy and nutrients
Protein – important for growth
Carbohydrates and fat (saturated in small quantities) – provide energy
Calcium and vitamin D – for healthy teeth and bones
Food high in free sugar should be eaten infrequently and only ever at mealtimes to prevent
weight gain and tooth decay
Teenagers Growth spurts make protein important – boys need more as they have higher muscle ratio
Iron and vitamin C needed especially for teenage girls as when they have their period the
iron in the blood needs to be replaced
Calcium and Vit D needed as skeleton is still growing and bones are increasing in density

5. s.
LEARNING
INTENTIONS
Students can identify foods sources of nutrients and the functions of various nutrients.
Nutritional Needs of Different Age Groups
Adults generally:
• Need to follow the Eatwell Guide.
• Men need more calories than women as
they have more muscle mass.
• During pregnancy a woman will need
200 more calories a day towards the
end of the pregnancy and should
consume more folic acid to help
prevent spina bifida.

6. s.
LEARNING
INTENTIONS
Students can identify foods sources of nutrients and the functions of various nutrients.
Nutritional Needs of Different Age Groups
Elderly Adults generally:
• Have less muscle and are less active therefore need fewer calories
• Senses of taste and smell change – recipes need to be adapted to
make them more appealing
• Bones can become weak so Calcium and Vitamin D is important
• Vitamin B12 prevents memory loss.
• Fibre is needed to prevent constipation as digestive system weakens.
• Vitamin A is needed to maintain good eyesight.

7. s.
LEARNING
INTENTIONS
Students can identify foods sources of nutrients and the functions of various nutrients.
Plan a day’s menu that would fulfil the
dietary needs, for a child or an elderly adult
(choose specific age range).
•
• explain how it fulfils their needs.
Task 1

8. Diet related health problems
OBESITY
High Blood
Pressure
CORONARY
HEART
DISEASE
BMI checks whether
someone is overweight.
18.5 – 25 = healthy
25-30 = overweight
30-35 = obese
Above 35 = Extremely
obese
High
cholesterol
Greater risk of type 2 diabetes and cancer
Breathing difficulties, tiredness and low self esteem

9. s.
LEARNING
INTENTIONS
Students can identify foods sources of nutrients and the functions of various nutrients.
Task 2: Diet related health problems
Research and answer the following questions:
1. What are all the different causes of coronary heart disease (CHD)?
2. What health problems are associated with coronary heart disease?
3. Why does high blood pressure increase the chances of getting CHD?
4. What disease is caused by an iron deficiency?
5. What can cause a deficiency in iron?
6. What are the health problems associated with a lack of iron?
7. What is type 2 diabetes and what causes it?
8. What are the health problems associated with type 2 diabetes?
9. Draw a table and compare the following diseases of the skeleton:
Rickets, Osteoporosis and Tooth Decay