A. Nutrition Education Needs
The intervention targets Hispanic pregnant teenagers. In 2012, 305,420 babies were born to females ages 15 to 19 (US). Also, one in five births from the same age group, were to females who already had one or more babies (US). Hispanics currently have the highest teen birth rates, and according to charts, Texas is one of the highest states to have teenage birth rates (US).
Expecting a baby during adolescence years poses a threat to the future child, not only in the early years, but also in years to come of the child’s life (klein). Adolescent mothers are still growing themselves, with a growing baby to take care of in the womb now; it causes competition of nutrients between child and mother (sch). Competition of nutrients means that the mother should be consuming a very nutrient rich diet consisting of a lot of fruits and vegetables along with a high-quality prenatal vitamin (sch).
Many people do not consume enough fruits and vegetables as it is, without supporting a growing a baby. Therefore, there is a need for education of how to incorporate these nutrient dense foods in everyday life and how many servings of fruits and vegetables are needed. Variety in order to get all the necessary vitamins and minerals is also a lesson needing to be taught throughout the target population.
B. The Theory of Planned Behavior
The theory of planned behavior is an individual’s intention to change behavior (Ajen). This is determined by both personal attitudes toward the new behavior and perception of social pressure to change the behavior (from PP). An individual is more likely to implement changes if they believe that the new behavior will most likely lead to constructive outcomes (from PP). They are also mor...
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...Pregnancy: Current Trends and Issues. Pediatrics. Available at: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/116/1/281.long. Accessed on February 20, 2014.
2. Schott TO., Hediger, Mary L., Schall, Joan I, Khoa, Chor-San, & Fishcer, Richard L. Maternal growth during pregnancy and the competition for nutrients. Am J Clin Nutr. Available at: http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/60/2/183.long. Accessed on: February 24, 2014.
3. Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Teaching Nutrition through Family and Consumer Science: A Curriculum for Middle Schools. http://ne.dpi.wi.gov/files/fns/pdf/tncurr.pdf. Accessed March 31, 2014.
Boyle MA, Holben DH. Community Nutrition In Action: And Entrepreneurial Approach. 6th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth; 2013:PAGES ON THE THEORY.
Ajzen I. The Theory of Planned Behavior. Thousand Oaks, CA. SAGE Publications; 2012. 438-459.
The first year of a baby’s life is a time of rapid changes and figuring out who to trust in the world. That first year many things happen that are very important to the future of the infant. This point in life is a time of “rapid physical and nervous system development, accomplishments that ensure an infant’s survival and ability to cope with its world” (Dacey et al., 2009). Babies rapidly gain weight in the first year so nutrition is a very important part of the development process. They need a good diet consisting of “carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, and vitamins” (Dacey et al., 2009). Proper nutrition ensures the correct development of newborns survival. “Having survived prenatal hazards, newborns come equipped with automatic responses ideally suited for survival” (Myers, 2008). The first year of a baby’s life is very important in ensuring a successful journey heading into their future.
This helps the mother control weight gain as she tends to gain less weight in the first trimester. though, they had some differences in their vitamin intake as one mother took medication for prevention of malaria due to her surroundings, they both took the recommended vitamins and nutrition for healthy child development, such as vitamin B complex (folic acid), multivitamins, fruits, vegetables, and an increase intake of water to help with dehydration and constipation. They both exercised during their pregnancy, though their intensity was different. For instance, the first mother didn’t engage in any form of exercise until her second trimester due to her history of miscarriages. The sex exercise was the most shocking part for me as I believe it could potentially harm the baby if care is not taken, but she claimed it helps to prepare the birth canal for childbirth resulting in a less painful and strenuous delivery (Santrock,
Whitney, E., DeBruyne, L. K., Pinna, K., & Rolfes, S. R. (2007). Nutrition through the Life Span: Childhood and Adolescence. Nutrition for Health and Health Care (3rd ed. , pp. 1). 301-329.
Wardlaw, G.M. and Smith. Contemporary Nutrition: Issues and Insights. 5th Edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill, pp 85, 2004.
The first years of life are the most crucial years for brain, immune system and overall physiological development. This is why, it is extremely important to achieve optimal nutrition standards in these early years. Studies have shown that having optimum nutrition in infancy can lead to profound benefits throughout the lifespan of the person. Breastfeeding is extensively recommended, as the best way to achieve the most advantageous start for new-born babies, from the multifunctional aspect of both nutrition and enhanced protection against infectious agents.
Research indicates that “the specification of fetal brain areas affected by prenatal exposure to nonoptimal maternal distress and nutrition, will, in part, identify developmental processes, such as synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and dendritic arborization, as vulnerable to the influences of these two maternal factors” (Monk, Georgieff, & Osterholm, 2013). Interestingly, the vitamins and nutrients a mother eats herself provides her child with vitamins and nutrients. Psychologist Martha May Reynolds wrote, “The science of nutrition has made careful studies of food requirements during pregnancy, and the results are now available to practically all mothers-to-be. Calcium is especially important in the formation of the child 's bones and teeth, and other minerals, vitamins and proteins play their parts in nourishing the developing embryo. The present and future health of both child and mother depend on a well-balanced diet for the mother” (Reynolds, 1939). Seemingly insignificant and something people take for granted, eating healthy foods is essential to the present and future health of the
Since 1916, the United States Department of Agriculture (the government agency responsible for all U.S. policy regarding agriculture, food, and farming) has revised their recommendations several times. Unfortunately, money talks and the USDA’s recommendations are based on outdated science and are influenced by people with business interest. Even so, its recommendations are considered almost “holy” by physicians, nutritionists, and dieters, but in reality, they are the root cause of the problem. A single visit to our local public school cafeteria and it will become clear that they do not have the best interests of the children at heart. What they are feeding our innocent children is preposterous. Doctors, the people we trust and expect to be “the experts”, do not know much about the subject of nutrition. A vast majority of medical schools in the U.S. require just 25-30 hours or less of nutrition training, and some do not require at all. So doctors must rely on the ...
Three to five daily servings of vegetables and two to four servings of fruits are necessary to supply vitamins, particularly A and C. Recommended fruits include citrus (oranges, grapefruits) as well as apples, bananas, guavas, mangos and dried fruit. Vegetables may be dark green -- such as broccoli, spinach or kale -- or a variety of others including carrots, cabbage, ...
... the end all that matters is that the happy, healthy, bundle of joy is getting the adequate amount of nutrition from the best source out there, his/her mother.
Is there any food on earth that can provide the PERFECT nutrition to a human? Yes, and it is breast milk. Breast milk is the perfect nutrition. This superior food contains hormones, live antibacterial and antiviral cells and essential fatty acids (What Makes Human Milk Special?, Mar-Apr 2006). All of which are helpful in protecting against any harm. Sicknesses in infants are lowered by the help that breast milk gives. Breastfed children are sick less often than children who aren’t breastfed (What Makes Human Milk Special?, Mar-Apr 2006). Breast milk contains all the nutrients that an infant needs as it continues to grow. When the child is brought into the world it has no way to fight off any d...
The effects of nutrition can begin before birth, with the nutrition of the mother. Under nutrition can result in negative effects of the development of the brain that can become permanent and irreversible. One example is the lack of iron, which is a necessary part of the brain’s tissue. When iron deficiency is present nerve impulses tend to move slower. “Iron deficiency…is associated with behavior changes and delayed psychomotor development” (Nutrition and Cognitive Development, 2001), as well as decrease attention span, irritability, fatigue, and difficultly with concentration. “ Anemia is one of the most prevalent nutritional disorders in the world, affecting nearly one quarter of all low-income children in the United States”(Rosenberg,1998). Iron deficiently anemia effects many young children in our country and has been linked to a child’s ability to learn by influencing attention span and memory. Besides iron, there can be iodine deficiently as well that can occur during the early years of a child. Reduced cognition and achievement in school can be associated with iodine deficiency. Researchers have also proven a decrease in protein intake with in diets can have an effect on achievement scores. Overall, under nutrition can results in a decrease of activity, social interaction, curiosity and cognitive functioning. This is proof of how the prenatal period of a child is the most important. “Recent evidence indicates that 15 percent of very low birth weight children and nearly 5 percent of low birth weight children require special education, compared to 4.3 percent of children born at normal birth weight”(Children’s Nutrition and Learning, 1994). Infants that are b...
There are many different kinds of effects that come from not consuming the right amount of the nutrients everyday. Receiving the right amount is key especially for children ages zero to three years old. Some physical effects in early-aged children is the inability to fully develop in growth and their ability to fight infections is very weak. Other physical conditions found in children are chronic health issues such as, asthma and Cystic Fibrosis, also many children find themselves needing to be hospitalized. Mental effects are taken into account as well, because many children experience behavioral consequences and challenges: Children also suffer from anxiety and aggression issues. Young children are not only people affected from lack of nutrients, but adults experience both physical and mental problems too. Adults are not as affected by not getting the accurate amount of nutrients, these ages unfortunately do not get to live a...
Beginning in the womb, nutrients obtained through the diet, in this case of the mother, begin playing a key role in the development of the brain and nervous system. A woman’s poor nutritional status before the time of conception can have detrimental effects on physical and cognitive development (Whitney & Rolfes, 2013, p. 486). It is clear that from the beginning of the lifespan nutrition plays a vital role and cognitive health and development. While nutrition is known to play a role in cognitive health, the question of just which nutrients and in what quantities will require many more years of research as new information is being discovered. There is a growing concern over the quality of ‘natural’ sources, such as breast milk and whole foods, as opposed to synthetic sources, such as infant formula and vitamin supplements. There has been much debate as to whether or ...
...hey should get additional supplements in two or three months before in expecting babies. Folic acid, iron, calcium and vitamin c are major requirement of pregnant mothers. Also they should think there age, weight as BMI value and health condition. In our country provide good service for mothers in clinic. If mothers are attending to clinic they can get good idea and knowledge to have a healthy, proper weight babies. That above mention supplements also can having in that place.
I believe that parents, caregivers, or anyone that has contact with a toddler should know about what nutrition they need and why local produce is better for the toddler. I choose toddler’s nutrition because in psychology class, we are studying their development, so something as simple as what fruits and vegetables they eat can affect all points throughout the toddler’s life. In addition, my sister is pregnant so as the aunt of the child, I feel I have the responsibility in helping my younger sister and teaching her nutrition for her baby. After researching, I know that feeding local produce to my niece or nephew when they become toddlers is vital and can, enhance their development. So let’s learn about toddle...