Nutritional Problems: Vitamin Deficiency

Nutritional Problems: Vitamin Deficiency

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December 10, 2012

Evita Asumugha

Nutritional Problems: Vitamin Deficiency

Vitamins play an essential role within the body and allow many chemical responses to occur. Inadequate amounts of vitamins cause deficiencies within the body that increases a person's risk of diseases and disabilities at different stages of life.

Future implications of Vitamin Deficiency

Infancy

During the first few days, months, and year of a child's life it is very important to get the right vitamins into his or her tiny little bodies. According to A2Z (n.d.), deficiency of vitamin A remains the leading cause of preventable childhood blindness in the world, and a leading cause of morbidablity. As a result, the best option to ensure an infant receives enough vitamins is to breastfeed. Researchers advises if a woman cannot breastfeed she can use formula; however, make sure to consult with a physician before choosing a formula for the child. Lack of vitamins will cause the child to get very sick, cause death, and lead to incurable diseases (A2Z, n.d.).

Preschool

Maintaining adequate amount of vitamin D is imperative during the preschool stage of life. Lack of vitamin D increases a child's health risk of diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, inadequate amount of vitamin D increases preschoolers' risk of developing rickets, a bone disease that have the potentials to effect fractures, growth development, and cause osteoporosis during adulthood (Office of Dietary Supplements, n.d.).

School age

During the school age stage of life, a child's body goes through many changes. Unfortunately, vitamin deficiencies, such as vitamin B12, vitamin D, folic acid, and iron impair the memory, concentration, and learning ability of school age children (Allen, 2004). Additionally, Children with the lack of vitamin D, which help their bones absorb calcium, is more likely to have higher blood pressure and cholesterol and a long-term implications including risk of heart disease (Metab, 2011). Folic acid affects the blood cells and nervous tissue synthesis whereas iron reduces the capacity of oxygen level in the body. Consequently, both are risk factors that affect preschooler's immunity, growth and development, and anemia (Allen, 2004).

Adolescence

Possible future implications that vitamin deficiency may cause at adolescence stage of life include growth and pubertal development, normal vision, the expression of selected genes, immunity, and reproduction. Even marginal or subclinical deficiencies in vitamins may have poor effects on bone growth, sexual maturation, and increases risk for infectious diseases of adolescents because of its role in immunity (Healthy Vitamin Choice, 2012). In addition, as physical and biochemical changes occur, adolescent's need of certain vitamins increases. For example, the growth and pubertal development and the role of these new cells rely on the existence of vitamins A, C, and E. Meanwhile, adolescents need calcium, magnesium, and zinc to increase bone density (Healthy Vitamin Choice, 2012).

Older Adults

As the body grows older, calorie intake for older adults are less, and the skin cannot produce vitamin D effectively; therefore, several problems can occur when older adults have a high level of vitamin deficiency. For example, vitamin B deficiency can cause a decrease in mental capacity, which can lead to poor memory as well as confusion.