Food and Nutrition: Analyzing Weight Management and Dietary Intake

This assignment solution delves into various aspects of food and nutrition, beginning with an examination of weight management theories, including the set point theory, thermogenesis, and the genetics of obesity, with a focus on the significant impact of genetics. It explores environmental cues that influence eating behaviors, such as sedentary activity and emotional factors. The solution further discusses the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) for essential nutrients like calcium, iron, and Vitamin A across different age groups, highlighting their roles in bone health, hemoglobin formation, and vision. The document concludes with relevant references, providing a comprehensive overview of key nutritional concepts and their practical implications.

Running head: FOOD AND NUTRITION
FOOD AND NUTRITION
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1FOOD AND NUTRITION
Part 1
Question 1
The set point theory defines weight management as a regulatory mechanism unique to
each individual. While the theory of thermogenesis provides and equally individualized outlook
in terms of metabolic process, it seems to define weight management as something which has the
potential for external manipulation (via exerting increments in metabolism). The theory of
genetics and obesity, links an individual’s weight with his or her familial history. I believe the
theory of genetics and obesity has the most impact since an individual’s inherited genetic
material ultimately defines their metabolic and enzymatic processes, paving the way for
personalized dietary characteristic recognition using nutrigenomics.
Question 2
An individual’s extensive engagement in sedentary activity, results in inability to
metabolize the calories and nutrients consumed. Likewise, emotional cues such as depression,
anxiety and loneliness also compel individuals to revert to food for comfort and coping.
Increased exposure to palatable foods also influence eating behaviors and weight gain.
A person’s locality heavily impacts weight gain – especially if ample processed foods are
available. My experience with environmental cues influence my eating. Often academic
pressures increase my levels of anxiety and stress which compel me to turn to sweet foods for
comfort. My academic pressures also leave me fatigued and discouraged to engage in physical
activity, which must be corrected since it may increase my risk of obesity and metabolic
disorders (Blümel et al., 2015).

2FOOD AND NUTRITION
Part 2
Calcium is responsible for the growth, repair and development of bones and muscular
contractions. The Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for calcium in adolescents is 1300 mg, for
adult men is 1000 mg and women 1200 mg and is 120o mg for elderly 70 years and above.
Adolescents require calcium due to their growth spurt and development of bone structure in
comparison to adults who now require the same for maintenance. Adult women and elderly
require higher calcium intake due to their susceptibility to osteoporosis and frailty (Bolland et al.,
2015).
Iron is required for hemoglobin formation and has a DRI of 11mg and 15mg in
adolescent males and females, 8mg and 18mg in adult men and women and 8mg in the elderly.
Females require higher iron intake due to their menstruation while adolescents require for the
development of their blood volumes. The elderly require iron to maintain oxygen transport
adequate for organ system sustenance (Davison, Gondara & Kaplan, 2017).
Vitamin A is essential for maintenance of healthy vision. The DRI of Vitamin A (Retinol
Activity Equivalents) include 700 to 900 μg for adolescents, 500 to 625 μg for adults and 500 μg
for the elderly. Adolescents are actively encountering organ system growth and development
which is why they need high Vitamin A for vision enhancement in later life whereas adults and
elderly merely need it for maintenance of basic visual acuity (Beydoun et al., 2018).

3FOOD AND NUTRITION
References
Beydoun, M. A., Chen, X., Jha, K., Beydoun, H. A., Zonderman, A. B., & Canas, J. A. (2018).
Carotenoids, vitamin A, and their association with the metabolic syndrome: a systematic
review and meta-analysis. Nutrition reviews, 77(1), 32-45.
Blümel, J. E., Chedraui, P., Aedo, S., Fica, J., Mezones-Holguín, E., Barón, G., ... & Flores, D.
(2015). Obesity and its relation to depressive symptoms and sedentary lifestyle in middle-
aged women. Maturitas, 80(1), 100-105.
Bolland, M. J., Leung, W., Tai, V., Bastin, S., Gamble, G. D., Grey, A., & Reid, I. R. (2015).
Calcium intake and risk of fracture: systematic review. Bmj, 351, h4580.
Davison, K., Gondara, L., & Kaplan, B. (2017). Food insecurity, poor diet quality, and
suboptimal intakes of folate and iron are independently associated with perceived mental
health in Canadian adults. Nutrients, 9(3), 274.