1. Diet during Young and Middle Adulthood
Chapter 14
Diet during Young and Middle Adulthood

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

4. Adulthood Broadly divided into three periods: Young adulthood
Age 18 to 40
Middle period
Age 40 to 65
Late adulthood
Over age 65

5. 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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6. 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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7. 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

8. 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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9. 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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10. 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

11. 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

12. 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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13. 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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14. 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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15. 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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16. Special Considerations for the Adult
Best solution for weight control:
Increased exercise combined with reduced caloric intake
Healthy eating plan should follow MyPyramid guidelines

17. 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

18. 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