Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 3

Answer

When advising a pregnant woman what to eat, you would first tell her that it is very important to gain weight during her pregnancy (at least 11 kilograms). Then you need to advise her about eating foods that contain vitamin A, iron and iodine, and making sure she has enough energy. She needs to eat a well-balanced diet but there is no need for expensive additional foods.

Answer

If a mother tells you she does not have enough milk for her baby you would want to ask her if she is eating enough (more than she did before becoming a mother), and if she is eating a good mix of food. You would also want to ask her if she is drinking enough. Finally you need to know if she received a dose of vitamin A shortly after giving birth and if she is now eating food containing high amounts of vitamin A.

Answer

There are many differences between the nutritional needs of children and elderly people but you might have chosen two of the following:

• Small children have a higher basal metabolic rate than older people so need more nutrients
• Children have huge energy requirements so need more calories than older people
• Children need more water because they are at greater risk of dehydration
• Older people might have physical problems which make eating difficult
• Older people need more vitamin D.

Answer

A mother whose adolescent son is eating a lot does not need to worry unless he is eating a lot of one type of food. Adolescents experience a growth spurt at the age of 15/16 so need a large intake of all kinds of nutrients during this time.