Special dietary requirements

Obesity, Dental decay, Heart disease, Osteoporosis, Bowel disorders, Diabetes, Coeliac, Vegetarianism

© pdst Home Economics.

Obesity – The Causes Energy intake is

greater than energy output.

Genetics or family tradition

Thyroid problems Slow metabolic rate

– elderly Certain drugs

Risks of Obesity Heart disease Difficulty breathing Gallstones Back pain Diabetes Arthritis High blood pressure Stroke Varicose veins

Controlling Obesity A low fat low carbohydrate

high fibre balanced diet. Exercise @least 30 mins 3

times a week .5-1Kg loss per week Don’t eat late Avoid alcoholic and sugary

drinks Low fat products Low fat cooking methods Slimming club

Dental Decay 2 types - (a) periodontal

disease affects gum, bone surrounding teeth (b) Dental cavities

Caused by plaque = mixture of saliva and bacteria. This builds up on teeth and damages gums

When carbohydrate, esp. sugar, is eaten plaque converts it to acid which decays the teeth

Prevention of dental problems

Avoid sugary foods Snack on nuts, fruit,

yoghurt Eat calcium and vit D

rich foods Use fluoride

toothpaste and drink fluoridated water

Thorough brushing @ least twice daily

Visit dentist @least once a year.

Coronary Heart disease Narrowing and

hardening of the coronary arteries due to build up of fat.

CHD can cause angina, heart attack, sudden death

Risk factors – smoking, high fat and cholesterol diet, obesity, high blood pressure

To reduce risk of CHD Reduce fat intake esp.

saturated fats and cholesterol

Eat foods with unsaturated fat

Use low fat products Increase fibre Reduce intake of salt

and refined carbohydrates

Exercise increases “good” cholesterol (HDL)

Don’t not smoke or abuse alcohol

CholesterolFunctions: produces hormones,

making cell membranes, production of bile

Liver makes cholesterol we don’t need to eat it in food

If too much cholesterol is in the blood it clings to artery walls and obstructs the blood flow

The body binds cholesterol with protein to make lipo-protein.

There are 2 types - LDL low density lipo-protein and HDL high density lipo-protein

LDL sticks to artery walls. HDL removes cholesterol

from the blood and gets it excreted

To Lower cholesterol

Eat less cholesterol rich food e.g. eggs, liver, shell fish.

Eat less foods high in saturated fats eg. fatty meat, butter, cream, cheese.

Consume polyunsaturated fats esp. fish oils - counteract effect of cholesterol on arteries.

Exercise to increase HDL in the blood

Osteoporosis Bones become light

and thin and break easily

Maximum bone mass should be reached before end of teenage years – calcium intake vital for this

Osteoporosis risk factors & prevention Being female – loss

of oestrogen @ menopause - HRT

Lack of Vit. D Family history Exercise 30 min 3

times/week Smoking and alcohol

abuse affect calcium absorption

Enough calcium during childhood, adolescents and child bearing years

Enough vit. D Exercise Don’t smoke or

abuse alcohol HRT

Bowel Disorders Fibre is not digested ,it

absorbs water and keeps the faeces large and soft and easy to eliminate with little pressure

Lack of fibre leads to small hard faeces that are slow and hard to eliminate.

This can cause constipation, haemorrhoids (piles), diverticulosis and cancer

Bowel disorders Haemorrhoids: Swollen veins of the rectum and anus- pain itching bleeding

Diverticulosis:Wall of intestine develops pouch-like structures. If they fill with food waste and bacteria they can become infected – diverticulitis.

Colon Cancer:Research shows connection between colon cancer and lack of fibre.

High Fibre Tips Change from white

to wholemeal bread Eats lots of fruit,

veg. and pulses. Fibre rich breakfast

cereal e.g. ‘All Bran’ Add some wholemeal

flour when baking. Try to use whole

grain pasta and rice RDA fibre = 25-30g

Diabetes Condition where the body cannot

control blood sugar levels. The hormone insulin made in the

pancreas controls blood sugar Diabetics do not produce enough

insulin or the insulin produced does not work properly

Glucose is not used to make heat and energy but excreted in the urine instead

If uncontrolled it can lead to heart attack, stroke, bad circulation, damage to kidney and eyesight

Diabetes: types and symptoms Type1: juvenile onset diabetes:

insulin dependent. Damaged pancreas unable to make insulin

Type2: maturity onset: Non-insulin dependent.Pancreas produces some insulin controlled by diet.

Symptomsincreased thirst, dry mouth, increased urination, weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision

Controlling Diabetes Controlling diabetes involves balancing insulin

exercise and food so that the correct amount of sugar is kept in the blood.

Diet: 1. Eat three regular meals, and one or more snack. 2. High fibre starchy carbohydrates that increase blood sugar slowly.3. Avoid sugary foods, use diabetic products and artificial sweeteners.

Hypoglycaemia: blood sugar too low. Symptoms: feeling ill, perspiration, hunger, irritability, unconscious, coma. Control: take sugary sweet or drink.

Hyperglycaemia: blood sugar too high.Symptoms: vomiting, deep loud breathing, high temp, diabetic coma.Control: give insulin

Coeliac Disease Condition where by

gluten damages the lining of the small intestine and the ability to absorb nutrients is reduced.

Gluten is a protein in wheat, similar protein in rye barley and oats can also be harmful

Rice and maize are not harmful.

Symptoms of coeliac disease

Children Adults

Slow growth Abdominal pain

Weight loss Weight loss

Irritability Mouth ulcers

Pale bad smelling faeces

Tiredness

Anaemia and other deficiency diseases

Treatment of coeliac disease Strict gluten free diet Avoid wheat, barley rye oats and all

their by products such as bread, cakes, biscuits, pasta, breaded fish, pizza, pies, pastries.

Use naturally gluten free foods e.g. meat, fish, milk, cheese, eggs, fruit, veg.

Use special gluten free products e.g. gluten free flour, bread biscuits etc.

Avoid hidden sources of gluten e.g. sausages , black and white pudding, processed foods, some soups, sauces ,gravies.