Chapter Summary

• Nutrition plays a fundamental role in human growth and development, beginning in utero and extending throughout the lifespan.
• Pregnancy-related conditions that can impact the pregnant client’s nutrition and affect the fetus include hyperemesis gravidarum and gestational diabetes.
• Appropriate nutrition and a properly functioning endocrine system are essential for growth and development through puberty for children and adolescents.
• During adulthood, the endocrine system works to maintain homeostasis but eventually begins to exhibit age-related declines. Adults must adjust their nutritional intake accordingly to decrease the risk for developing diabetes and other endocrine disorders.
• During later adulthood, individuals must maintain adequate nutritional intake to counteract decreased appetite.
• Endocrine disorders develop either from malfunction of the endocrine gland responsible for secreting a particular hormone (primary disorder) or from pituitary gland malfunction (secondary disorder).
• Diabetes is the most common endocrine disorder. Clients with this condition must closely monitor their diet to limit carbohydrates and manage their caloric intake to regulate their blood glucose levels.
• Clients with thyroid disorders must manage their intake of iodine-rich foods, selenium, and other key micronutrients to help regulate their thyroid function.
• Clients with acromegaly may benefit from a ketogenic diet.
• Diet plays a significant role for individuals with endocrine disorders. However, some medications used to treat these conditions can affect nutrient absorption.
• Clients with diabetes must balance food intake with insulin or oral antidiabetic medication administration to decrease the risk for hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.
• Clients taking levothyroxine for hypothyroidism must take the medication on an empty stomach and avoid certain foods that can inhibit its absorption.
• Clients taking calcium and loop diuretics are at risk for fractures because these medications decrease calcium and parathyroid hormone levels.