Nutritional Consideration of Infants, Young Children and Adolescents Flashcards
Why are nutrients required?
- Essential nutrients replace losses and are inv. with growth of new tissues
- Energy to permit metabolic functions
- Maintenance, growth and development
- Develop immunity
Phases of child growth?
ICP model of growth:
• Infant (nutrient-led)
• Child (growth hormone-led)
• Pubertal (sex steroid-led)
Define dietary reference values?
Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) - used for energy requirements of a population; 1/2 will require more than the EAR and 1/2 will require less
Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) - a requirement that is sufficient for 97% of the population
Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI) - a requirement that is sufficient for the 3% of the population that have the lowest needs
Difference between the EAR and the LRNI and RNI?
LRNI is -2 SD from the EAR
RNI is +2 SD from the EAR
RNI for vitamin A?
350-400 μg/day
Dietary sources include cheese, eggs and yoghurt
Intake is usually excessive
RNI for vitamin C?
25-30 μg/day
Dietary sources include oranges, blackcurrants and potatoes
Intake is usually excessive
RNI for vitamin D?
7-8.5 μg/day
Main source is sunlight; small amounts available from oily fish and eggs
Breastfed and non-breast-fed infants tend to be low
Recommendations for vitamin supplementation in children?
From 6 months, all children consuming <500 mls/d of infant formula should take vitamin A, C & D supplements
Breastfeeding mothers should take vitamin D supplements of 10 µg per day
RNI for sodium in children?
280mg, 320mg, 350mg and 500mg per day for children aged 4-6, 7-9, 10-11 and 12-18 months, respectively
Intake tends to be excessive in most people
Physical activity guidelines for infants not yet walking?
Encourage from birth
Floor based & water-based activities in safe environments
Minimise time spent sedentary for extended periods (except sleeping)
Physical activity guidelines for children capable of walking?
180 minutes throughout the day
Minimise time spent sedentary for extended periods (except sleeping)
Physical activity guidelines for those ages 5-18?
≥ 60 minutes/day of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity
3 days/week - vigorous intensity activities
Minimal time being sedentary (sitting)
Guidelines for milk-feeding?
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the 1st 6 months of an infant’s life
Definition of weaning?
Process of introducing foods with an increase in variety of texture, flavour, aroma & appearance
Guidelines for when complementary feeding (weaning) should be started?
Start at ~6 months of age and not before 4 months; breast milk should be the main type of milk consumed
Guidelines for types of complementary foods?
First foods should be gluten free and introduce foods that cause allergies one at a time; sugar and salt should not be added
Consequences of late weaning?
Inadequate provision of energy and nutrients from breast milk alone; leads to growth faltering and malnutrition
Micronutrient deficiencies
Lack of development of motor skills
Key vulnerabilities in school-aged children?
Chronic disease
Disordered eating patterns, e.g: faddism
Supply/demand imbalance, e.g: obesity
Key vulnerabilities in adolescence?
Eating disorders
Obesity
Early pregnancy
Advantages of breastfeeding?
Greater likelihood of higher IQ
Lower obesity risk for baby in later life
Lower maternal breast cancer risk
Guidelines for dental health in children?
Introduced to drinking from cups or beakers from about six months of age
Tooth brushing should begin as soon as teeth begin to appear
Social and cultural factors that may affect weaning practices and food choices?
Living in a deprived area
Opinions of the infant’s maternal grandmother
Personal disagreement with advice to wait until baby was 4 months
Lack of encouragement from friends to wait until baby was 4 months
Being in receipt of free samples of manufactured food
Examples of public health nutrition interventions?
Healthy start (welfare food scheme)
Childsmile (dental programme)
