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
