DTN307 Nutrition throughout life
Assessment Task 3

Assessment 3	Nutrition considerations through the life stage portfolio
Due Date	Friday 21st November, 2025, 11:59 PM AEST
Weighting	50%
Word Count	2000 words

 

Task Overview

This task comprises two parts:

Part A: Template responses for five specified life stages.

Part B: 1-day menu plan analysis and nutrient modifications for a sample mixed family.

Use the Assessment Task 3 - Part A and B Template to format your assessment task.

Instructions

Part A

Using the provided template, complete an analysis for the following life stages:

Toddlers

Children

Adolescents

Adults

For each life stage, provide:

1. Key Nutrients: Identify and describe which nutrients are particularly relevant for this life stage and why they are important.

2. Nutrient Deficiencies: Identify and describe the consequences of nutrient deficiencies in this life stage.

3. Challenges and Behaviours: State the likely challenges (habits/behaviours) associated with achieving nutritional adequacy in this life stage.

Responses may be in dot point form. Ensure all acronyms are explained on their first use or include an abbreviation list before the template.

Part B

This section requires an analysis of a 1-day reported daily intake for a mixed family of four individuals, using FoodWorks software and the Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs). 

One-day menu plan

Breakfast: 2 x Weetbix with ½ cup of almond milk

Morning tea: 2 Teddy Bear biscuits

Lunch: 1 sandwich (2 slices of white bread, ½ avocado, 1 slice of cheddar cheese, 2 slices of honey-leg ham, 1 x lettuce leaf) and 1 glass of orange juice (100% juice)

Afternoon tea: 1 banana

Dinner: 1 x chicken burger (1 x hamburger bun, x 1 chicken breast, regular spread of tomato sauce, 2 x slices of cheddar cheese, 1 x lettuce leaf).

Supper: 1 x Magnum Mini ice-cream (White Chocolate)

Sample Family Details - Age, Sex, Height & PAL details to be made available after AT1 due date.

Name	Age (years)	Sex	Height (metres)	PAL	Notes
Henry	6	Male	1.15	8	Will typically return snacks and foods from school lunchbox uneaten, will often seek out ‘after school’ snacks instead. Likes dairy foods. Parents have noticed a recent appetite increase.
Zoe	14	Female	1.60	1.6	More of a ‘snacker.’ Engages in family meals, however, more recently has been wanting to trial ‘new’ foods from outside of home. Likes vegetables. However struggles to eat them on their own.
Hailey	43	Female	1.70	1.8	Recently switched to working from home, continues to have predominant role in food preparation/cooking. Always aims to ensure family eats together at dinner time as the main meal.
David	45	Male	1.80	1.8	Usually struggles the most with breakfast as often ‘on the go’ and limited time in the morning before work.

You will:

1. Quantitative Analysis:

Use FoodWorks to determine the nutritional composition of the sample meal plan (one day meal plan is tabulated below).

Complete Table 1 with nutrient data for Dietary Energy, Calcium, Iron and Dietary fibre (as per correct responses from Assessment Task 1). 

2. Nutrient Comparison:

Complete Table 2, Question A: Compare the NRV requirements for each family member with the nutrient content of the sample meal plan.

Complete Table 2, Question B: Calculate the percentage of each nutrient provided by the sample meal plan. Use this formula:

a) Dietary Energy (MJ): (Sample meal plan Energy in MJ ÷ NRV

b) Energy requirement of family member) x 100

c) Calcium (mg): (Sample meal plan Calcium in mg ÷ NRV RDI Calcium requirement of family member) x 100

Repeat for other nutrients.

3. Sample Meal Plan Modifications:

Complete Table 2, Question C: Choose one nutrient (energy, calcium, iron, or dietary fibre) and suggest modifications to the meal plan to achieve nutritional adequacy (+/-10% of the NRV).

Re-analyse the modified plan using FoodWorks and provide evidence of nutrient adequacy in the appendices.

4. Qualitative Analysis:

Complete Table 2, Question D: Compare the sample meal plan to Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE) recommendations for each food group. Identify food groups with inadequate intake and provide three suggested modifications to address these inadequacies.

Note: This analysis is based on the original sample meal plan, not the modified version. Use your responses to Assessment Task 1 AGHE average food group serves for each family member in this section. 

Referencing

Include a variety of sources such as prescribed texts, subject readings, and official guidelines (e.g., Australian Dietary Guidelines, AGHE, NRVs).

Lecture notes may be referenced but should not be the sole source.

You do not need to cite:

1. FoodWorks data.

2. NRV values documented in Part B, Question A.

3. AGHE recommendations in Part B, Question D.

Formatting

Use the Assessment Task 3 - Part A and B Template to format your assessment task. 

Include a cover page with your name, student ID, course name, subject code, and word count.

Use APA 7 for in-text citations and the reference list.

Appendices

Include FoodWorks nutritional analysis data and modified menu plan evidence for each family member.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Part B, Question D (Qualitative Analysis): Should I base the analysis on the original or modified plan?

Base your analysis on the original sample meal plan.

2. Are Questions C and D in Table 2 separate?

Yes, these are separate analyses and do not need to align.

3. How do I calculate the % of nutrients in Question B?

Use the formula provided in the instructions.

4. Can I focus on more than one nutrient in Question C?

No, focus on one nutrient only. Ensure modifications achieve adequacy for the chosen nutrient (+/-10% NRV).

5. How many references are required?

There is no set number, but a variety of credible sources is expected. Use prescribed texts, readings, and guidelines explored in the subject.

6. Can GenAI be used for this task? 

No, the use of GenAI is not permitted for this task (see below for full details)

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI):

Generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, Claude, Quizlet AI, CourseHero AI, Homeworkify, etc.) must not be used for this assessment. 

This includes:

Analysing or interpreting FoodWorks outputs, Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs), or AGHE data

Generating, drafting, or editing any part of your written responses

Suggesting or justifying nutrient modifications

All work must be your own, based on your understanding of the subject materials, software, and resources provided.

Use of AI in any form will be treated as academic misconduct in line with La Trobe University’s Academic Integrity Policy.

Why AI use is not permitted for this assessment:

This assessment is designed to develop and demonstrate core professional skills essential for your future practice as a nutritionist. You will be applying tools such as FoodWorks, interpreting Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) and the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE), and making evidence-based recommendations. These skills are fundamental to your ability to work independently and confidently in real- world settings, where you will be required to analyse data and justify your decisions without automated assistance. To ensure you can demonstrate these competencies, the use of Generative AI tools is not permitted for this assessment. All work must reflect your own understanding and application of the subject materials.

Submission details

1. Submit your report including cover page and appendices