Childhood 1 Flashcards
What are the four primary goals of childhood nutrition?
Adequate intake of energy and nutrients for growth and maintenance.
Development of feeding skills.
Establishing a healthy relationship with food.
Encouraging eating socialization.
What are the three main DRI age groups for children?
1-3 years (Toddlers)
4-8 years (Preschoolers and early school-aged children)
9-13 years (School-aged children, onset of puberty)
How does growth rate change between infancy and childhood?
Growth slows after infancy.
Toddlers grow ~1cm and 0.23kg per month.
School-aged children have gradual, steady growth, with puberty leading to a growth spurt.
What are key developmental milestones for toddler (1-3 years) feeding skills?
By 1 year: Should eat family foods, still at risk of choking.
By 2 years: Can self-feed with a spoon and cup (no sippy cups recommended).
Small stomach requires snacks between meals.
Why should young children avoid certain foods like popcorn, nuts, and grapes?
Risk of choking due to small airways and limited chewing ability.
Avoid hard candy, whole grapes, foods cut into rounds (e.g., hotdogs).
hat are common preschool (4-8 years) feeding behaviors?
More developed motor skills (can use spoon, fork, and cup).
Appetite fluctuates due to growth spurts.
Influenced by parents, siblings, and peers.
Prefers familiar foods but can be introduced to new foods.
How does school-age (9-13 years) independence affect eating habits?
pend more time away from parents, eating at school or with friends.
Peers influence food choices.
More exposure to advertising (can lead to preference for unhealthy foods).
Family meals still play a key role in shaping healthy habits.
What are the 4 key dietary recommendations from Canada’s Food Guide for children?
Eat together as a family.
Limit processed foods (reduce added salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats).
Encourage whole foods (fruits, veggies, whole grains, protein).
Make water or milk the drink of choice instead of sugary drinks.
What is the Division of Responsibility (sDoR) in childhood feeding?
Parent’s Responsibility:
What is offered.
When and where meals occur.
Providing a positive eating environment.
Child’s Responsibility:
Whether to eat.
How much to eat.
Why should children be allowed to decide how much to eat?
Young children have an innate ability to regulate energy intake.
When given a high-energy pre-meal drink, children naturally eat less at lunch.
When parents interfere, self-regulation is disrupted.
How do children develop food preferences?
Prefer sweet and salty tastes naturally.
Learn to appreciate other flavors with repeated exposure.
Prefer familiar foods and tend to dislike mixed foods.
May take 10-20+ tries to accept a new food.
What happens when food is used as a reward or punishment?
Increases preference for “reward” foods (e.g., dessert).
Decreases liking for “required” foods (e.g., vegetables).
Creates negative associations with healthy foods.
How do different parenting styles affect child eating behaviors?
Authoritative: Some rules/limits with sensitivity toward child’s needs.
Authoritarian: Highly controlling, forces food choices, creates negative food associations.
Permissive: No structure, children eat whatever they want, often leading to unhealthy eating habits.
What are 4 effective strategies to encourage healthy eating in children?
Follow the Division of Responsibility.
Establish structured meal & snack times.
Eat as a family to model healthy eating habits.
Avoid bribes, pressure, or using food as rewards.
What are 4 signs of hunger in young children?
Increased movement or fidgeting.
Reaching for food or utensils.
Verbal requests for food.
Irritability if mealtime is delayed.
What are 3 signs of fullness in young children?
Turning head away from food.
Closing mouth or pushing food away.
Losing interest in eating.
Playing with food instead of eating.
How does familiarity influence food acceptance?
Repeated exposure increases likelihood of eating new foods.
May take 10-20 tries before acceptance.
Familiar foods provide comfort.
How do social factors influence child eating behaviors?
Peers:
Friends’ food choices can influence preferences.
More social eating settings (e.g., school lunch, playdates).
Advertising:
Exposure to unhealthy food marketing increases preference for processed foods.
Why is family mealtime important for children’s nutrition?
Encourages healthier food choices.
Provides a structured eating environment.
Strengthens family bonds & communication.
Helps reinforce positive eating behaviors.
How should snacks be structured for children?
Scheduled, not constant grazing.
Offer nutrient-dense options (e.g., fruits, yogurt, whole grains).
Limit processed snacks high in sugar & salt.
Provide a balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
What are key strategies to encourage appetite in young children?
Serve small meals and snacks at regular times.
Let them get hungry before meals.
Offer drinks at the end of meals to avoid filling up before eating.
Avoid distractions (TV, toys) during meals.
