Different age groups have varied nutritional needs. Human growth and development takes place in different stages that require different energy and calorie intake. Across the various levels of growth, children (infants), youths, teenagers, adults and the elderly. These age groups have different energy demands that can be gotten from daily dietary intake that can be gotten from various food types.
Good nutrition aids in improving cardiovascular and other body systems functions, cognitive development and performance, wound healing, boosts immunity. However this does not mean that everyone needs the same types of foods for good nutrition. Depending on the activities of the individuals, dietary assessment should be carried out to determine the levels of nutrients needed.
The age group one belongs dictates and demands intake of certain foods. Teenagers are presumed to be hyper and super active hence their body require food that not only adds lots of energy but also have nutritional values for long term healthy lifestyle, but is this really what they go for? Research shows that African American children and teens view at least 50% more fast food adverts on the television than their white peers. This clearly indicates that so many factors influence food choices ranging from adverts and cost: to this effect fast foods have proven cheaper and more time effective.
Informed food choice is very vital at infancy, since at that point it can stabilize children’s energy and also sharpen their minds but children should not be allowed to choose for themselves what to eat since there will be automatically a clinging towards junk food. Parents should be very careful and keen to provide good nutrition for their kids as it’s the bedrock of life long health.
There is a great similarity in the recommended food choices for the elderly and young children, such as food that promotes strong bones and resistance to illness. To avoid intake of food supplements, the elderly are always advised to take healthy food; low fat intake.
Factors affecting food choices are not only age but also sex, stage of puberty, health conditions and current growth parameters. These needs are not known hence many cases of obesity and other diseases caused by nutritional deficiency, most people take food due to sweetness and not nutritional richness. Sugar for instance raises the insulin level which inhibits the growth hormones which in turn depresses the immune system