Family Life CycleNutritional Needs

Newly Married

Husband and WifeAdjusting to life together

Finances, jobs, traditionsLearning to prepare meals for two people

Most meals require enough ingredients to make 4 servings.

Preparing for pregnancy Doctors suggest you start preparing your body 2

years in advance.

Nutrition during Pregnancy

On average women gain 25-30 poundsMen gain 10-15 pounds (sympathy weight)

Consume an extra 200 calories a day.Prenatal vitamins are taken to guarantee women are getting the right amount of iron, zinc and folate. Limit salt intake- can cause complications such as

preeclampsia, which causes high blood pressure and swelling.

Assignment- Part 1:

Write down the physical, mental and social effects of pregnancy on the individual or family. (3 of each)

Determine factors that may cause weight gain during this stage. How can those factors be changed to

promote health?

Early Parenthood

Husband, wife and child (ages birth to ten)Adjusting to life with a child

Financial strain, time managementPreparing meals for spouse and child

Problem: Child may not be eating the same foods.

Nutrition during Early ParenthoodChild

Time to start healthy eating habits.

Nutrition during Early ParenthoodMother

Adjusting to eating for one againNot consuming as many caloriesSome mothers lose weight and others gain due to

depression and time constraintsFinding time to be active

FatherWith a busy wife, may be grabbing dinner on the

goWork (juggling time between family & work)Active lifestyle= playing with kids

Later ParenthoodHusband, Wife and Adolescent Children

Financial strains, time management, busy schedulesSome families may be in multiple stages

at one time.

Preparing meals for a larger familyBecause of physical growth, children are eating more.

Nutrition during Later ParenthoodNutrition is important to adolescents because of

rapid growth.

Busy schedule leads to bad eating habits(dining out, food to go)

Parents need to be aware of eating disorders in their teen. The child is not familiar with the change the body is making and doesn’t like the new appearance. Anorexia Nervosa- self starvation, extreme limit of food

intake Bulimia Nervosa- eat then purge, often follows binge eating

Empty NestHusband and Wife

Children have moved out, beginning their own life cycle.

Focus is placed on marriage again, financial freedom, focus on health

Nutrition during Empty Nest• Preparing smaller meals

• Easy to over eat when there is extra food around.

• Have time to rekindle with spouse• Focus on self and marriage

• Health concerns (blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, etc.)• Limit salt intake, eat nutritious foods

RetirementHusband and Wife

During this stage, one spouse will pass away ending the family life cycle.

Health begins to decline, children are grown and have started their own family life cycle

Nutrition during RetirementLoss of motor abilities put a strain on

individuals ability to prepare a mealHave someone prepare foods for them

Eat smaller portionsHave you ever noticed the “Senior Portions” on

menus?Have meals delivered (Meals on Wheels)

Health ConcernsOsteoporosis, heart disease, high cholesterol,

high blood pressure, diabetes