How Would Components of Balanced Diet Contribute to an Individual’s Health at Different Life Stages.

Unit 11-(M1) How would components of balanced diet contribute to an individual’s health at different life stages.

When we say balance diet, we mean a variety of food types to be eaten that must belong to all food groups of nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals; but it also considers a balanced calorie intake that is recommended according to age, weight and height of a person. We are considering a food eaten in a daily basis.

The composition of the diet a person eats will vary according to age, body composition if more of fatty tissue or very muscular in built. It also varies when an individual has food restrictions due to food intolerance, food allergies, or a special health conditions such as a presence of diabetes.

Let's start in children; in this stage children still need to eat all of the complete nutrients daily, but protein must be in bulk in content in the food we feed them, as well as food rich in calcium. Hence protein is the body building food and the calcium for bone remodelling. Milk is an important food product that must be included daily aside from other food types to be served to ensure high nutrients required within this stage, because growth hormone is quite active in secreting in the body system. At this point all necessary nutrients must be available in food the children must eat while actively growing. Children need regular meals and snacks to get the energy and nutrients they need for growing and fighting off illness. Eating family meals together will encourage them to enjoy a variety of foods. Snacking all day in place of meals, usually results in eating an unbalanced diet. Increasing rates of obesity amongst children is a worldwide issue that can lead to a number of physical, social and emotional health issues. Children who are overweight and obese are at risk of the following:

• Type 2 diabetes.

• High blood fats and high blood pressure.

• Stress on bones and joints.

• Sleep apnoea.

• Low self esteem...