NUTRITION IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENT Flashcards
Weight typically increases
2-3kg per year until 9/10 years old
CHILDHOOD - GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Head growth minimal
Trunk growth slows substantially
Limbs lengthen
Energy requirement is determined on the basis of
basal metabolism, rate of growth and energy
expenditure
Protein intake
about 1.1g/kg body weight
1-3 year old: high risk for
iron deficiency anemia
Ca is needed for adequate
mineralization and maintenance of growing bone
Zn is essential for
growth
Vitamin D is important for
Ca absorption and deposition of Ca in bones.
PRESCHOOL CHILDREN
Sweets should be limited; nutrient-rich foods can be used to satisfy hunger
After the age of one, a child’s growth rate slows and with it, the appetite
Children develop tastes for certain foods at an early age
The eating habits and attitudes children learn are likely to last a lifetime
Children 4 to 6 years old
Children can have their independent eating styles.
They understand the time frame of meals and
can save their appetite for meals.
Snacks form an integral part of the child’s nutrient intake
Children can develop a sense of responsibility for healthy food selection. They can understand that although all foods are fine, some (like fruits, vegetables, and low fat foods) can be eaten more often than others.
CHILDREN 7 TO 12 YEARS OLD-Nutrients most likely to be low:
Ca, Fe, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin A, Vitamin C
Nutritionally at risk children:
from abused/neglected/deprived families
with poor appetites/eating habits
on vegetarian diets without dairy products
who are pregnant
Children 7 to 12 years old
Actual growth may slow down at this stage
- The body is preparing for the puberty growth spurt
Puberty for girls may begin from -
(7 to 12 years old)
age 9 and on and, for boys, puberty maybe reached in early teen years
Children 7 to 12 years old
- Parents should not overreact to the child’s overeating;
- To rule out overeating, children can be asked if they are truly
hungry for food or are they just tired or thirsty - Energy requirements increase to 2000 to 2200 kcal/day
EATING ISSUES
Fewer feeding problems than preschool age
Increased appetite
Increased influence of peers, teachers
Increased access to food away from home
Increased meals/snacks away from home
Increased responsibility for own food
choices
Suggestion in solving the issue
Serve finger foods often. Children like to
choose from a variety of foods, as in a buffet.
Children will usually eat the foods they have
helped prepare.
Vary meal situations
Children usually prefer raw vegetables to cooked.
Avoid making dessert a reward for vegetable
eating.
Relax and let mealtime be a time for everyone
to enjoy.
Use snacks to improve food habits.
FAILURE TO THRIVE
Growth deficiency
Restricted diet, poor appetite, lack of food
Premature infant
Management plan including adequate energy and nutrients
CHILDHOOD OVERWEIGHT
About 2- 5 yr: 10% overweight
About 6-19 yr: 15% are overweight (3 times that seen in 1980)
15% were “at risk” for being overweight
Leads to adult obesity
Psychologically damaging
60% of girls and 39% of boys in the 4th grade
want to be thinner
Adolescent - Physiological changes (Boys)
Boys—get tall, lean, and dense (bones)
Attain 15% of final adult height during puberty
Lean body mass doubles
Large calorie needs—increase from 2,000 at 10 yr to 3,000 at 15 yr
Adolescent - Physiological changes (Girls)
Girls—get taller and fatter
% body fat increases from the teens into the mid-20s
Dieting can have a negative impact on linear growth during this time
Calorie needs increase by only 200kcal from 10 yr to 15 yr
Healthy Diet: Food intake
Increase fiber
Decrease oily foods
‘No’ to soft drinks
CARBOHYDRATES
Major and immediate source of energy.
Complex carbohydrates recommended
High-sugar foods not preferred.
Grains, cereals, fresh fruits, vegetables
FATS
Source of essential fatty acids.
Unsaturated fat recommended.
e.g. Corn, cottonseed, flaxseed oil, soybean, and sunflower oils contain about 50%
polyunsaturated fat.
Saturated fats increase cholesterol levels.
PROTEINS
Daily requirements
Boys = 0.29-0.32 g/cm height
Girls = 0.27-0.29 g/cm height
0.8 – 1.2 g/kg bodyweight
High intensity athletes = 1.2-1.8 g/kg
Pulses, lentils, soya, dairy products and animal food products.
Nutrients need= Iron Zinc Iodine Calcium
Increased need during adolescence
Needs met by a well-balanced diet
Vitamin D
Thiamin
Riboflavin
Niacin
Vitamin B 12
Vitamin C
Folic acid
Sources – Fruits, fresh milk, sprouted beans etc.
Iron
Anemia is most common nutritional
deficiency in adolescents.
Increased red cell mass during adolescence.
Daily need
Boys = 12 mg/d & Girls = 18 mg/d
sources of iron
Green leafy vegetables, jaggery, wet
dates, whole-grain, dried beans, peas &
dried fruits, nuts & fortified wheat
products, eggs, red meat etc.
Zinc
Second most abundant trace mineral in the
body. (next to iron)
Necessary for normal growth.
Clinically apparent deficiency rare.
Daily need = 15 mg
sources of zinc
Green leafy vegetables, wheat germ,
whole grains meat, cheese, eggs, poultry,
liver.
Calcium
Most bone mass acquired during
adolescence.
Typical intake of calcium = about 800
mg/ d
Daily need = 1300 mg
Consumption of soft drinks & caffeine contribute substantially to low calcium intake in adolescents.
Bone mass deficiency may is irreversible.
sources of ca
Milk and its products, yogurts, cheese,
paneer, banana.
What Influences Adolescents Food
Choices?
Psychosocial
Strong Influences
Food preferences
Early childhood experiences, exposure, genetics
Taste and appearance
Weak influence
Health and nutrition
Fast Food
High in calorie, fat, sodium and low in fiber
which can cause Obesity, Hypertension, Heart diseases, Diabetes, Cancer etc.
Contains preservatives
Choose low-calorie and low-fat meals, snacks and desserts
Have low fat or skim milk drinks
Nutrition Issues in Adolescent Health
Cardiovascular and cancer disease risk
Osteoporosis and bone mineralization
Overweight and obesity
Type 2 diabetes
Eating disorders
