1. Healthy Food, healthy children, healthy life
Healthy Food for Kids
Healthy Food, healthy children, healthy life

2. The importance of good nutrition
Growth and brain development
Health protection and immunity
Protection against adult diseases
Energy regulation
Protection of teeth and gums
Improved behaviour
Development of good eating habits for life

3. Birth to twelve months
First year of life is greatest period of human growth
Growth is directly reflected by nutrient intake
Head circumference nearly doubles in first 12 months
Birth weight doubles in first 5 months and triples by 12 months
Birth length increases by cm in first 6 months and 25 cm in first 12 months
50% of food intake is used by the brain.

4. Toddlers, one to three years
Growth slows – reduction in appetite
Head circumference increases by 3-4 cm from 1-3 yrs
70% of adult brain size is achieved by age three
To predict child’s height, double height at age 2.

5. Children, three to ten years
Slow steady growth in both boys and girls
Average growth of 5-6 cm and 2-3kg per year until 9th or 10th birthday
Brain growth continues slowly and steadily until full brain development is achieved at around 16
95% of the adult brain size by age 7
Total body fat decreases in toddlers until age 6, when it begins to increase again

6. Children, three to ten years
Puberty may begin in girls as young as eight
Both boys and girls develop a layer of fat about 8-10 yrs to fuel puberty growth spurt.
After age 8-9, girls naturally have more body fat than boys – rounder, more curvaceous figure
Girls begin puberty growth spurt from 9-11, about 2 years earlier than boys
Boys develop more muscle (therefore more strength) than girls at puberty and girls develop more fat.

7. Health protection and immunity
Good nutrition is essential for production of protective immune cells to fight infection and disease.
Breastmilk contains anti infection agents
Breast fed babies have fewer colds, ear infections and gastroenteritis, and fight off illness more quickly
Full breastfeeding with no additional food, drinks or water recommended by WHO for first six months.

8. Health protection and immunity
Lymphatic system doubles by age 7, then again by age 12.
Good daily nutrition vital to produce immune tissues and white blood cells to engulf and destroy viruses & bacteria
Malnourished children suffer more infections – produce fewer white blood cells, immunoglobulin, anti-bodies and other immune cells.
Can become vicious cycle as appetite is affected by illness, leading to poor nutrition leading to illness again.

9. Protection against adult diseases
Major diseases such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers have origins in childhood.
Providing fruit and vegetables to babies, toddlers and children is known to reduce their risk of cancer.
Low fat diet, particularly saturated fats. Protects arteries against build up of fatty deposits and cholesterol – atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis can lead to heart disease, kidney disease or stroke
Overweight or obesity often begins in childhood. Obesity leads to atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

10. Other benefits Protection of teeth and gums Energy regulation
Improved behaviour
Development of good eating habits for life

11. Children’s needs
Protein – meat, fish, poultry, legumes, eggs, -2g of protein /kg of body weight /day
Calcium – ml milk (or equivalent) per day
Iron – haem iron from animal foods; non haem from plants –eat with Vit C to help absorption.
Fibre – after age 2, need minimum of 5g + age (7yr child needs 12g fibre per day min)

12. Food Groups
Cereals and Bread – provide energy, preferably wholegrain; Need at least 4 serves per day
Vegetables – most brightly coloured provide most protective substances. 5 serves from a range of different types
Fish, meat, eggs, legumes – protein, minerals and iron. 1-2 serves per day
Milk and dairy – builds bones & teeth. 600 ml per day or equivalent.