WEEK 6 TOPIC 3: ADULTHOOD AND NUTRITION
CASEM, Jenin Mabri B.
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the activity, the student should be
able to do the following:
1. Describe the body changes that occur during
the span of the adult years.
2. Identify the nutritional needs during early,
middle, and late adulthood
3. Explain the health concerns of early, middle,
and late adulthood
4. Analyze the psychosocial, physiological, and
economic influences on eating behaviors
5. Evaluate the importance of maintaining a
regular exercise program throughout the
adult years
6. List the effects of drugs, including alcohol, on
nutrients and health
7. Propose measures to promote healthful
eating habits during adulthood, especially the
later year
EARLY AND MIDDLE ADULTHOOD
Ø The chronological ages of early and middle
adulthood differ among expert opinions.
Ø For this discussion, the early adult stage covers
18 to 40 and the middle adulthood period covers
ages 40 to 65.
Ø During all stages of adulthood, body changes
occur.
o In early adulthood, physical growth
ceases.
o During the adult years, nutrients
are mainly used for body repair and
maintenance.
Ø Body composition changes include:
o a decrease in lean mass
o an increase in fat, and
o a reduction in bone density.
Ø Osteomalacia and arthritis may occur.
Ø With a reduction in basal metabolic rate (BMR),
body functions and the capacity to perform
physical work decline with advancing years.
o The fall in BMR and activity
necessitates a decrease in caloric
intake.
o Also, the lifestyles adopted by a
person influence food habits and
nutrient needs.
Ø Nutrient needs during adulthood may be
analyzed as follows:
1. The diet should be optimal in all essential
nutrients except for calories. Energy needs
decline because of a decrease in activity and
BMR
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2. Calcium needs remain high during adulthod
as calcium in bones is removed and
replenished constantly
3. Iron needs remain high in women until
menopause
4. Social development continues through
adulthood, and nutritional status affects the
quality of life
5. Many factors that adversely affect the health
of the adult require a modification of the
adult’s dietary habits
6. A regular exercise program benefits
nutritional status
The following health concenrs and problems of early
and middle years should be noted:
1. Psychological stress and sedentary lifestyles
are social factors that can create health
problems
2. Alcohol, drug, and tobacco use negatively
affect health and nutritional status
3. Chronic exposure to environmental pollutants
is a health hazard, especially in large cities
4. Obesity, arthritis, and osteomalacia are
common disorders of middle age.
Osteoporosis is especially common in women
5. Cardiovascular diseases and cancer ar e
leading causes of death in the adult
population
OSTEOPOROSIS
Ø Osteoporosis is a silent enemy.
Ø It is a bone disease that leads to an increased
risk of fracture.
Ø The spine may compress, then later collapse
causing dowager’s hump.
Ø It is less common in men than in women.
Ø Women at risk of developing osteoporosis
include:
o Thin, small-boned women
o Women with a family history of the
disease
o Women whose ovaries were
removed at an early age; and
o Sedentary women.
o Smokers and drinkers are also at
risk.
Ø For proper bone mass to be maintained, bones
must be stressed as they are exercised.
Ø To prevent bone loss, experts recommend:
o 30 minutes of exercise 3 to 6 times a
week and calcium supplements if the
diet is not rich in foods containing
calcium such as milk and dairy
products, spinach, and broccoli.
 WEEK 6 TOPIC 3: ADULTHOOD AND NUTRITION 02/19/21
CASEM, Jenin Mabri B. BSN 2-2
CANCER oTurnip,
Ø The American Cancer Society has gathered oRutabags,
evidences that diet and cancer are related. Here and
are the recommended foods to fend off cancer: o Radish.
o Carotene (a form of vitamin A o Drink moderate amounts of alcoholic
present in beverages.
§ Cantaloupes
§ Peaches
§ Broccoli Some concerns that specifically affect women in the
§ Spinach adult years should be noted:
§ all dark-green leafy 1. Pregnancy, lactation and menopause change a
vegetables woman’s nutrient requirements
§ Sweet potatoes 2. Certain contraceptives can create health
§ Carrots problems.
§ Pumpkin a. The use of the intrauterine device
§ Winter squash (IUD) as a birth control measure
§ Tomatoes causes a heavy menstrual flow and a
§ Citrus fruits, and greater need for iron
§ Brussels sprouts b. Oral contraceptive agents (OCAs),
• lowers the risk of because they are hormones, affect
cancer of the larynx the body’s metabolism of nutrients
and esophagus. c. The changes mimic the nutritional
o Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels status of pregnancy; that is, a higher
sprouts, and cauliflower reduce the nutritional intake is required
risk of GI and respiratory tract d. Protein metabolism is altered and
cancer. serum cholesterol and glucose levels
o Fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain rise when OCAs are used
cereals such as oatmeal, bran, and e. Requirements for vitamin C, vitamin
wheat may help lower the risk of B6, and folacin are increased in
colorectal cancer. these women
o Foods high in fats, salt, or nitrates- 3. Abortions affect iron status of women, as heavy
cured foods like ham and fish, and blood loss usually accompanies the process
types of sausages smoked by 4. Menopause decreases the need for iron, but
traditional methods should be eaten calcium needs are increased in women of
in moderation. childbearing age to retard or prevent
o Milk, especially 2-3 cups of osteoporosis
Vitamin D fortified skim milk a day,
may help ward off colon cancer.
o Cabbage prevents cancer. Ø Young adulthood is a time of excitement and
§ In fact, all vegetables which exploration.
fall into a group of plants o The age range runs from about 18
known as Cruciferae have to 40 years of age.
an anti-cancer effect. Ø Individuals are alive with plans, desires, and
• Examples of energy as they begin searching for and finding
cruciferous their places in the mainstream of adult life.
vegetables are: o They appear to have boundless
o Cabbage, energy for both social and
o Cauliflower professional activities.
o Broccoli, o They are often interested in exercise
Brussels for its own sake and may participate
sprouts, in athletic events as well.
o Mustard and Ø The middle period ranges from about 40 to
collard 65 years of age.
greens, o This is a time when the physical
o Watercress activities of young adulthood typically
o Kohlrabi, begin to decrease, resulting in
 WEEK 6 TOPIC 3: ADULTHOOD AND NUTRITION 02/19/21
CASEM, Jenin Mabri B. BSN 2-2
lowered caloric requirement for most population (2.1 million), women outnumbering
individuals. men three to one.
Ø Table 14-1 can help individuals estimate o RA affects:
energy (calorie) requirements. § The wrists
Ø During these years, people seldom have young § Joints of the fingers other
children to supervise, and the strenuous than those closest to the
physical labor of some occupations may be fingernail
delegated to younger people. § Hips
Ø Middle-aged people may tire more easily than § Knees
they did when they were younger. § Ankles
o Therefore, they may not get as much § Elbows
exercise as they did in earlier years. § Shoulders, and
§ Because appetite and food § Necks.
intake may not decrease, Ø Although researchers have determined that
there is a common tendency diet changes have no effect on rheumatoid
toward weight gain during arthritis, it is still important to maintain a healthy
this period. diet that includes adequate calcium and
Ø During young to middle adulthood, the protein.
beginnings of osteoporosis may also be Ø A multiple vitamin containing vitamin D and
evident. a calcium supplement should be taken
Ø A diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, and fluoride is daily.
thought to help prevent osteoporosis. Ø Omega-3 fatty acids have been helpful in
Ø The onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) reducing inflammation, but a physician should
usually occurs between the ages of 30 to 50 be consulted before taking this supplement.
and will affect approximately 1% of the
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CASEM, Jenin Mabri B. BSN 2-2

NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS than men, to consume foods that

Ø Growth is usually complete by the age of 25. provide more than the requirements
o Consequently, except during for these two nutrients.
pregnancy and lactation, the Ø Three glasses of milk a day nearly fulfill the
essential nutrients are needed only to requirement for each of these nutrients.
maintain and repair body tissue and o Increasing this amount could prevent
to produce energy. osteoporosis.
Ø During these years, the nutrient requirements of Ø Fat-free milk or foods made from fat-free milk
healthy adults change very little. should be consumed to limit the amount of fat in
Ø The iron requirement for women throughout the the diet.
childbearing years remains higher than that for
men. CALORIE REQUIREMENTS
o Extra iron is needed to replace Ø Calorie requirements begin to diminish after the
blood loss during menstruation age of 25, as basal metabolism rates decrease
and to help build both the infant’s (Table 14-2)
and the extra maternal blood Ø After 25 years, a person will gain weight if the
needed during pregnancy. total calories are not reduced according to
§ After menopause, this actual need, which will be determined by activity,
requirement for women BMI (REE), and amount of lean muscle mass.
matches that of men. Ø Those who are more active will require more
Ø Protein needs for healthy adults are thought to calories than those who are less active.
be 0.8 gram per kilogram of body weight.
o To determine the specific
amount, one must divide the
weight in pounds by 2.2 to
obtain the weight in kilograms
and then multiply the weight in
kilograms by 0.8.
Ø The current requirement for calcium for
adults from 19 to 50 is 1,000 mg, and for
vitamin D, 5 g.
o Both calcium and vitamin D
are essential for strong bones,
and both are found in milk.
Ø Bone loss begins slowly, at about the age
of 35 to 40, and can lead to osteoporosis
later.
o Therefore, it is wise for young
people, especially women, who
are more prone to osteoporosis
 WEEK 6 TOPIC 3: ADULTHOOD AND NUTRITION
CASEM, Jenin Mabri B.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
RELATED TO NUTRITION CONCERNS
Ø It is especially important to maintain good eating
habits during young and middle adulthood.
Ø Women, who may be concerned about weight,
cost of food, or time, can easily develop nutrient
deficiencies.
o For example, a woman who settles
for a piece of pie at lunchtime while
her husband eats a hamburger and
salad is being very foolish.
o If she continues to eat like this, she
will jeopardize her health.
§ A hamburger can have 250
to 400 calories.
§ The salad will contain less
than 50 calories without
dressing, and the dressing
could be limited to 1
tablespoon, or
approximately 100
calories, for a total intake of
about 400 to 550 calories.
§ Pies average 100 calories
per 1-inch slice. Most slices
are about 31⁄2 inches.
§ A scoop of ice cream on the
pie would bring the total to at
least another 100 calories.
Ø Although the calorie intakes of the husband and
wife would be comparable, the nutrient intakes
would differ.
o The wife’s would be inadequate.
o If the woman is of childbearing age
and plans to have children, she or her
children could suffer from such
habits.
Ø In general, people today are concerned about
nutrition and want to limit fats, cholesterol, sugar,
salt, and calories and increase fiber.
o Many know the sources of these
items; others do not.
o Unfortunately, both groups tend to
select their food because of
convenience and flavor rather than
nutritional content.
Ø It is easier to drive through a fast-food restaurant
or heat a prepared frozen dinner in the
microwave and complete the meal with ice cream
than it is to shop for individual food items, cook
them, and wash up after the meal.
o Consequently, many people ingest
more fats, sugar, salt, and high-
calorie foods and less fiber and other
nutrients than they should.
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WEIGHT CONTROL
Ø Weight control is one of the top concerns of U.S.
adults.
o Whether for reasons of vanity, health,
or both, most people are interested in
controlling their weight.
o It is advisable because overweight
can introduce health problems.
o Cases of diabetes mellitus, metabolic
syndrome, and hypertension are
more numerous among the
overweight than among those of
normal weight.
Ø Overweight individuals are poor risks for surgery,
and their lives are generally shorter than are
those of people who are not overweight.
o They are prone to social and
emotional problems because
overweight and obesity can reduce
self-esteem.
Ø The causes of overweight are not always known,
but the most common cause appears to be
energy imbalance.
o In other words, if one is overweight,
chances are that more calories have
been taken in than were needed for
energy.
Ø An intake of 3,500 calories more than the body
needs for maintenance and activities will result in
a weight gain of 1 pound.
Ø An individual who overeats by only 200 calories
a day can gain 20 pounds in 1 year.
o Obviously, when nutrient
requirements remain static but
calorie requirements decrease,
people must select their foods
carefully to fulfill their nutrient
requirements (Table 14-3).
Ø Genetics and, rarely, a hypothyroid condition,
can also contribute to overweight.
Ø Individuals who are overweight simply because
of energy imbalance can solve the problem by
eating less and increasing physical exercise.
o Exercise will increase the number of
calories burned.
§ However, unless the
exercise is sufficient to burn
more calories than the
ingested food contains,
exercise alone will not solve
the problem.
Ø By far the most effective method of weight loss is
increased exercise combined with reduced
calories.
o This will help tone the muscles as
excess fat is lost.
 WEEK 6 TOPIC 3: ADULTHOOD AND NUTRITION
CASEM, Jenin Mabri B.
Ø Exercise may also increase lean muscle mass in
such a way that weight loss will not be
necessarily significant;
o in this case, a decrease in clothing
size may be a better indicator of fat
loss.
Ø When weight reduction is to be undertaken, the
client should confirm with his or her physician
that he or she is in good health.
o Then, with the help of a registered
dietitian, a healthy eating plan should
be developed that will fit the dieter’s
lifestyle.
§ A healthy eating plan is
easiest to follow when it is
based on MyPyramid.
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Ø This plan will aid the dieter in obtaining needed
nutrients, will help change previously
unsatisfactory eating habits, and will allow him or
her to adapt, and thus enjoy, home, party, or
restaurant meals.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE HEALTH
CARE PROFESSIONAL
Ø The young and middle years of life are busy
Ø Most people feel they have too many things to do
and too little time to accomplish them
Ø Most have families, jobs, and social obligations
and, thus, more responsibilities.