School Age Children Flashcards
Describe some factors that lead to children lacking in certain nutrients:
Peer pressure Price Highly visible value marketing Role model Busy lifestyles Autonomy
Why is ‘role model’ a factor in lacking in nutrients?
Children learn by example - healthy choices must be promoted by the parent so the children follow
Why is peer pressure a factor in lacking in nutrients?
Unhealthy desire to be thin - anorexia
Sugary snacks that friends have
Why is price a factor in lacking in nutrients?
Healthy foods are often more expensive
Unhealthy foods are on offer more regularly which are more appealing
Why is ‘highly visible value marketing’ a factor in lacking in nutrients?
Most food adverts are snacks (unhealthy)
Pester power is harder to resist
Why is ‘Busy lifestyles’ a factor in lacking in nutrients?
Little time to prepare meals
Takeaway more often
Ready meals used - not always nutritious
Why is ‘Autonomy’ a factor in lacking in nutrients?
Parents have less control
Children begin to eat what they want (usually unhealthy)
Eating f_____ m_____ together helps encourage h_____ e______
Family
Meals
Healthy
Eating
Why is energy important in the diet of a school aged child?
Rapid growth
More active
Is a child’s energy requirement low or high?
High - increases rapidly at this age
What is the guidelines for fat intake for age 5+?
No more than 35% of energy should come from fat
Why is iron so important in a child?
The immune system
Cognitive function
Production of red blood cells
Oxygen and energy in the body
What is the purpose of haemoglobin in iron?
It transports oxygen around the body
What are the two types of iron?
Haem
Non-haem
Why is vitamin C so important for a school aged child?
Fulfils a structural role in most organs
essential during growth and development
helps keep gums healthy
minimises bruising and wounds
Why is vitamin C important for absorption?
It helps absorb iron - especially non-haem
What is the main role of calcium in the diet of a child?
Needed for the growth and development of bones and teeth
What does PBM mean?
Peak bone mass
Why is reaching PBM important?
This will help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and other bone related diseases later in life
Why is calcium so important for the strong development of teeth?
Tooth decay is common at this age and second teeth will be coming and need to develop strong
What are inhibiting factors that you should avoid consuming?
Oxalates
Phytates
Phosphoric acid - in fizzy drinks
Tannins
Why is vitamin D so important at this stage of the lifecycle?
Bone development
Is vital in the absorption of calcium
Enhances bone building cells
What will a deficiency in vitamin D lead to at this age?
Rickets
Why is protein so important at this stage of the lifecycle?
Needed for rapid growth, repair and maintenance
Bone development
What disease will a deficiency in dietary protein lead to?
Protein energy malnutrition - leads to skeletal problems
Why is vitamin K important for a school aged child?
Important for blood clotting
Important for the skin
Why is vitamin A so important for a school aged child?
Needed for healthy skin
For night vision - all vision
Important role as an antioxidant
Protects the immune system
What will result as a lack of water/fluid
Dehydration
Why is keeping good water levels so important during childhood?
low fluid levels will lead to irritability, may impair memory and can lead to poor performance at school
What illnesses can dehydration lead to?
Urinary tract diseases
Hypertension
CVD
Stroke
What are the functions of water?
Fluids carry nutrients, oxygen and carbon dioxide around the body
Water helps regulate body temperature
Helps to excrete waste products from the body
Three sources of water for children:
Ice-lollies
Fruit
Diluting juice
Why should fibre be limited as a child?
It will fill them up and they will not consume the correct nutrients needed
Why are essential fatty acids so important during childhood?
Assists with brain development
Helps with concentration
Also helps with behavioural function
What is the best source of omega 3?
Oily fish
How many portions of oily fish should a child eat in a week?
They should eat at least 2 portions of oily fish a week
Why should shark and swordfish be limited?
These types of fish have high levels of mercury and these can effect the developing nervous system
Why should salt be limited during childhood?
High sodium levels lead to hypertension later in life
Why should free sugars be limited during childhood?
They provide us with empty calories
They lead to tooth decay and increase the risk of dental caries
What factors should you follow when children are consuming free sugars?
Check food labels
Brush teeth with fluoridated toothpaste
Avoid sticky sweets that are in contact with your teeth for long periods of time
Consume milk and milk products to have a sufficient calcium intake
What is the biggest cause of tooth decay?
Frequent snacking - repeated contact of free sugars with the teeth
