Nutrition through the Lifecycle - Early years

Question 1

Why is adequate nutrition during the first year of life important?

Answer 1

• growth occurs more rapidly than at any other stage of life
• eating/dietary habits are formed at this age
• aids cognitive and motor development
• aids digestive system maturation

Question 2

What are some factors associated with infant mortality?

Answer 2

• maternal health
• socio-economical status
• ethnicity/racial group
• access to medical care
• teenage pregnancy
• multiple births

Question 3

describe the term ‘weaning’.

Answer 3

weening describes the process of transitioning from a milk only diet to the inclusion of solid foods

Question 4

When should weening begin?

Answer 4

After 6 months

definitely not before 4 months

Question 5

What measures are used to measure child growth?

Answer 5

• weight
• length
• head circumference

Question 6

What does the percentile graph show?

Answer 6

a child’s size compared to children of the same age who have shown optimal growth

Question 7

What are some common reasons to begin weaning?

What signs might a baby show to indicate they are ready for solid food?

Answer 7

• physical signs e.g., baby putting fist in mouth
• not gaining adequate weight
• mother can establish a work/life balance e.g., partner can feed baby
• hunger signs e.g., baby may not be satisfied at end of feeding
• marketing manipulation e.g., baby food advertised for 4+ months

Question 8

what are 3 developmental signs that a baby is ready to start weaning?

Answer 8

• baby can sit upright and hold their head up
• good hand, eye, mouth co-ordination
• baby can swallow food (baby that is not ready will spit food out)

Question 9

What are the two types of weaning?

Answer 9

• spoon fed

- baby led

Question 10

What are some benefits of baby led weaning?

Answer 10

• infants can develop better appetite regulation

- infants become familiar with family mealtimes

Question 11

What is a consequence of late weaning?

• when should new flavours and textures be introduced?

Answer 11

infants miss a sensitive period where they are more accepting of new flavours and textures.

lumpy textures should be introduced by 9 months

Question 12

What are some pitfalls of weaning?

Answer 12

• start too early or late
• imbalance between amount of food and amount of milk
• inappropriate foods given e.g., high salt, sugar
• not encouraging baby to use own appetite regulation skills

Question 13

What foods should be encouraged for a child under 1 year?

Answer 13

• fruit
• veg
• beans
• pulses
• yogurt
• eggs
• lean meats and chicken

Question 14

What foods should be avoided for a child under 1 year?

Answer 14

• salt
• high sugar
• honey
• unpasteurised soft cheeses
• shellfish
• undiluted fruit juice

Question 15

What foods should be avoided if weaning between 6 months - 1 year?

why?

Answer 15

Common allergenic foods:

• nuts (peanuts, nuts and seeds)
• cows milk
• fish
• egg
• wheat

believed that early exposure to allergenic foods will cause sensitisation and development of allergies.

Question 16

What is a consequence of delaying exposure to lumpy foods?

Answer 16

affects child’s food acceptance and feeding up to 7 years of age

Question 17

What are some advantages and disadvantages of shop-bought baby food?

Answer 17

disadvantages:

• costly
• higher sugar/salt
• can increase risk of childhood obesity

advantages:

• known to be safe/no pesticides
• convenient
• similar nutrient content to homemade

Question 18

Make some suggestions for new parents who don’t have the skills/time to make food for their baby

Answer 18

• make double batches of food
• go to a parents cooking class
• use quick and easy sources of wholegrains e.g., cous cous/rice

Question 19

What is the advice for infants regarding juices?

Answer 19

• given from a cup or beaker, not a bottle
• diluted in at least 10 parts water
• given at mealtimes to protect dental health

Question 20

What is the fluid requirement for:

• newborn - 6 month old?
• 7 - 12 month old?
• 12 - 24 month old?

Answer 20

• 700ml per day
• 800ml per day
• 1.25L per day

Question 21

What are the recommended amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fat and protein in an infants diet?

Answer 21

similar to adults
carbohydrates - 50% energy
fat - 35% energy
protein - 15% energy

Question 22

Why is an iron rich diet important during weaning?

Answer 22

iron store is sufficient until about 6 months due to breast/formula feeding.
when introducing solid foods, iron deficiency is a risk.

Question 23

What role does Vitamin D play in the infant diet?

What are the recommendations regarding Vit D intake?

Answer 23

bone health and immune support
decreasing the risk of rickets, which is re-emerging in children
breastfed babies should be given a supplement of 8.5-10 micrograms/day

Question 24

What is the role of Vitamin A in the infant diet?

What is the upper limit for Vit A intake?

Answer 24

immune support, eyesight and healthy growth

no more than 900 micrograms/day

Question 25

What is the role of Vitamin C in the infant diet?

Answer 25

• aids iron absorption
• prevent disease/promote good health
• wound healing
• antioxidant properties

Question 26

Why is salt potentially dangerous for infants?

Answer 26

Kidneys have not yet developed the ability to excrete excess sodium that has accumulated

high salt diet leads to a taste preference for salt in later life = high intake

Question 27

what % of total energy intake should free sugars make up in the infant diet?

Answer 27

no more than 5%

Question 28

What is the infant RDA for fibre?

Answer 28

no RDA for fibre under 4 years of age - fibre should be adequate but not high

15g/day for infants aged 4+

Question 29

What is recommended for infants on a vegan/vegetarian diet in terms of nutrient requirements?

What foods should their nutrients come from?

Answer 29

Energy - energy comes from nutrient dense foods e.g., hummus, full fat yog.
Iron & b12 - fortified breakfast cereals
calcium - fortified soya milk/milk alternatives
omega3 - linseed, flaxseed, DHA supplement.

Question 30

what is the advice regarding allergies for infants?

Answer 30

introduce new foods one at a time
seek medical advice if an allergic reaction occurs
monitor allergies as children can grow out of them

Question 30

what is the advice regarding allergies for infants?

Answer 30

introduce new foods one at a time
seek medical advice if an allergic reaction occurs
monitor allergies as children can grow out of them

Question 31

What is the general advice regarding infant portion size and appetite control?

How can you tell if an infant is getting enough food?

Answer 31

infants have the ability to recognise internal appetite cues and therefore can mostly control their own portion sizes.

growth charts will indicate whether a child is getting enough food.

Question 32

how can you encourage better appetite control in children?

Answer 32

dont force them to eat
dont bribe with treat foods e.g., finish meal to get pudding
give small portion and let them ask for more
eat in an environment without distractions

Question 33

What are some tips for preventing fussy eating?

Answer 33

• be persistent with certain foods even if they don’t like it the first time
• allow them to eat off your plate as it encourages inquisition
• allow time
• don’t worry about mess
• don’t bribe with treat foods
• separate foods out on the plate
• get child involved with shopping/cooking

Question 34

describe some initiatives that aim to improve infant health.

Answer 34

Eat better, start better scheme by Children’s food trust
aims at improving child nutrition in early years

new training for chefs ‘diploma in food production and cooking in the early years’

Question 35

What are 3 common nutritional problems during infancy?

Answer 35

colic:
persistent, unexplainable crying in infants
has been linked to mothers diet whilst breastfeeding and consumption of certain foods e.g., onions.

diarrhoea and constipation