Human Nutrition 3(3+0)

Lesson 15 : Lipids

Fat Requirements

The approximate fat requirements of individuals for different age groups are given in Table. At least 50% of the fat should consist of oils rich in EFA.

Table: Fat Requirements

Grroup	Fat %
Adults, pregnant and lactating mothers	10 to 20 % of total calories from fat
Children and adolescents (1 to 18 years)	15 to 20 % of total calories from fat
Infants (birth to 1 year)	25 to 30 % of total calories from fat

Factors affecting requirements
Food intake is influenced by several factors, two of the most important being socio-economic status and cultural preferences. Physiological condition(s) [i.e. pregnancy, lactation] and risk of certain chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes also affect fat requirements.