Assessment - Nutrition for Special Populations

Learning Outcomes -

• Critically analyse concepts and determinants of nutrition, related to health.
• Critically evaluate academic literature relating to nutritional requirements of special populations.

Background to this assessment - This assessment has been designed to help you develop your critical thinking skills in relation to the nutrient requirements of someone who fits within one of the 'special populations' covered in Section Two of this course (child, adolescent, pregnant woman, elderly or athlete).

Assessment task 1 -

Task: Construct a scenario that provides the background of a client who fits within one of the 'special populations' covered in Section Two of this course.

Guidelines: Construct a scenario relating to a client who fits within a clearly defined 'special population'. You will need to include their gender, age, height, weight, Physical Activity Level (PAL) and their Estimated Energy Requirements (EER). Describe their family situation, work, leisure time activities or any other details that you believe are relevant.

Assessment task 2 -

Task: Discuss the dietary and exercise requirements for your client, based on the MOH dietary guidelines and academic literature.

Guidelines: Refer to the Food and Nutrition Guidelines published by the Ministry of Health (MOH) that address the diet and exercise requirements for your chosen 'special population'. If you chose an athlete, use the MOH's 'Healthy Eating' (for New Zealand adults) recommendations in Topic 2. Using the literature to support your discussion, discuss the dietary factors that need to be taken into consideration with your special population. Some of these factors will match the recommendations in the MOH guidelines but there might be more specific recommendation that are not part of the MOH guidelines (or are not covered in detail).

Assessment task 3 -

Task: Write an individualised dietary plan for your client, covering a 24-hour period.

Guidelines: Use the MOH guidelines to ensure that your client's diet plan contains the recommended servings of foods from each of the five food groups. Ensure that your client's energy requirements are met. Calculate the percentage energy provided from each of the macronutrients (show the results of your calculations) and ensure that the percentages fall within the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range. Ensure that their specific micronutrient needs, as ascertained from the relevant MOH guidelines and the academic literature, are met.

Calculate the total energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat and fibre content of the diet. In addition, choose three or four micronutrients that are needed by your client (according to the literature) and calculate the amount of them in your proposed diet. Include your dietary analysis spreadsheet as an appendix at the end of your assessment.

Assessment task 4 -

Task: Critique of the plan in context of differing academic recommendations, discussing the rationale behind the foods and beverages that were included as part of your client's dietary plans.

Guidelines: Use the literature to support the choice of foods and beverages included in your diet plan, based on the requirements of your special population. Consider factors such as the nutrient composition of the foods, the acceptability of the foods to your client, the timing of the foods, and other factors that justify the recommendations. Show that you have thought critically about the foods that you have included in your diet plan and provide reference to academic literature to support your recommendations.

Attachment:- Assignment Files.rar