nutritional considerations of infants, young children and adolescents Flashcards
why is nutrition important in children?
- essential nutrients to replace losses and to grow new tissues
- energy is needed to permit metabolic functions
- needed for maintenance, growth and development
- needed to develop immunity
should infants be considered as small adults?
no
what occurs to babies weight in first 5-6 months?
doubles
what occurs to weight in the first year of babies life?
it trebles
what leads infants growth?
nutrition
what leads a childs growth?
growth hormone
what leads a pubertal pre teen/teens growth?
sex steroid
what is the Estimated average requirement (EAR)?
- an estimate of the mean requirement of energy or a nutrient
- 50% of population will need more and 50% will need less
what is RNI (reference nutrient intake)?
-the amount of a nutrient that will be adequate for 97.5% of population
what is LRNI?
-the nutrient requirement that is sufficient for the 2.5% of population with lowest needs
what is malnutrition?
-deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in individuals’ intake or energy and/or nutrients
what is wasting?
- low weight for height
- usually caused by a short term malnutrition
what is stunting?
- low height for age
- usually caused by long term poor nutrition
what is underweight?
- low weight for age
- may be stunted, wasted or both
what is the reference nutrient intake (RNI) for protein per day in infants aged 4-18 months?
12.7-14.5g
how much salt is recommended for infants 0-12months per day?
<400mg (1g)
how much salt is recommended for infants 1-3 years per day?
<800mg (2g)
what is calcium used for?
- teeth and bone mineralization
- nerve impulse transmission
- wound healing
- muscle contraction
- cellular metabolism
Tru or False
Breast feeding is not recommended
false- breast feeding is recommended for the first six months of an infant’s life
at what age should a child start accepting solid foods?
age of 6 months
-this is necessary as breast milk, infant formula will not meet nutritional needs
what should a baby drink at 6 months?
- breast mill, infant formula and water should be the only drinks offered after 6 months
- no unmodified cow’s milk to be given as main drink under 12 months
when can babies have full fat cows milk?
-it can be used in cooking from 6-9 months
when can a baby be given semi-skimmed milk?
2 years
when can a baby be given skimmed milk?
5 years old
what food is recommended as first foods when baby is wheening?
-vegetables, baby rice mixed with milk and fruit
how should foods that may cause allergies be introduced?
- one at a time
e. g. cereaks with gluten, eggs, nuts, soya, fish, other milk
when should iron rich foods such as red meat, fish and pulses be introduced?
around 6 months
when can whole nuts and seeds be eaten?
5 years
how often should a baby from 6-8 months be eating?
2-3 times a day
how often should a baby from 9-11 months and 12-14 months be eating?
9-11months= 3-4 times 12-14months= 3-4 times plus nutritious snacks
what are some indications that a child is ready to start solid feeding?
- sitting position with some/no support and can control its head
- can pick up things accurately
- can swallow food
- these signs usually do not begin together before 6 months (this is why complementary feeding is not ready until then)
what are some indications that a chi
- sitting position with some/no support and can control its head
- can pick up things accurately
- can swallow food
- these signs usually do not begin together before 6 months (this is why complementary feeding is not ready until then)
what is associated with early introduction of solid food?
- living in a deprived area
- opinion 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 manufactures baby food
- maternal smoking
- obesity
- formula feeding
what are the health benefits of breast feeding for first 6 months of life?
- improves immune system (fewer infections, less likely to go to hospital)
- lowers risk of SIDS (sudden infants death syndrome)
- lowers childhood obesity
- greater likelihood of higher IQ
- lowers risk of CVD, T2DM and hypertension
factors associated with a child being overweight or obese?
- mother overweight
- frequent snacking on crispis/sweets
- skipping breakfast
- not eating main meal at dining area
- low parental supervision
- mother has long term health condition
- no ‘child-friendly’ neighbourhood
factors associated with a child being overweight or obese?
- mother overweight
- frequent snacking on crispis/sweets
- skipping breakfast
- not eating main meal at dining area
- low parental supervision
- mother has long term health condition
- no ‘child-friendly’ neighbourhood
what are some public interventions to help with nutrition/health?
- best start (welfare food scheme)
- child smile (dental programme)
- child healthy weight
- physical activity programme
- community food and health programme
