Nutrition for school aged children

Question 1

Explain how the flux of macronutrients between organs while fasting helps the growing body meets its high energy needs.

Answer 1

• During fasting the brain depends on glucose that comes from the liver
• 4 - 6 year old have nearly the same energy and fat requirements as an adult woman .//*
• The brain depends on a continuous supply of glucose. After meals glucose is supplied directly from absorbed carbohydrates. During fasting, the liver converts glycogen stores or precursors (amino acids, lactate, and other intermediates) to glucose for release into blood. Nutritional concerns in children include overall dietary quality, including improving intake of fruits and vegetables, ensuring adequate calcium, vitamin D, and iron intake, and moderating fat intake

Question 2

Describe how the micro nutrients thiamin ,biotin and pantothenate are critical for energy production

Answer 2

• Thiamin deficiency may cause edema ,wasting and congestive heart failure
• best source is pork

Biotin regulates lipid metabolism and metabolize some amino acids

Pantothenate ;Participates in metabolism of most nutrients
Found in yogurt ,dairy products

Question 3

Explain major steps of macronutrient digestion and absorption, and causes and
consequences of malabsorption

Answer 3

• lack of pancreatic enzyme limits absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins, proteins and complex carbs entire interstinal tract
• Lack of bile interferes with absorption of fat and fat soluble vitamins
• Loss of brush border function limits digestion and uptake of peptides ,sugar ,many micronutrients including folate and vit b12

Question 4

What is the importance of parental role modeling and a low cariogenic diet

Answer 4

• Importance of good role modeling and developing health habits during childhood is important to avoid nutritional outcomes
• Cariogenic foods(sticky foods high in sugar ) should be avoided as these cause prolonged exposure of teeth to fermentable carbohydrate

Skipping breakfast should be discouraged because it might lead to decrease mental functions

Question 5

Describe the roles of nutrients involved in bone growth and development.

Answer 5

Calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, ascorbate, copper, magnesium and other nutrients are essential to bone formation.

Question 6

Describe the metabolism of vitamin D and identify its role in the body.

Answer 6

Vitamin D, coming from dietary sources or skin synthesis, is essential for bone regulation

*UV induces conversion of 7dehydrocholesterol to cholecalciferol.
Dietary vitamin D, in contrast, is absorbed without limit and risks toxicity from overdoses. The hydroxylated form 1-25-dihydroxy vitamin D acts on many different DNA segments, promoting the translation of some and inhibiting that of others. It promotes absorption of calcium from the intestine, calcium mobilization in bone (the 1,25 dihydroxy form) and reabsorption from renal tubules. When intakes are low, young children are at especially high risk of slow bone matrix growth and poor bone mineralization.