Childhood Nutrition Created by Katie Foster Locust Grove Nutrition & Food Science Food For Life: Childhood Nutrition

Standard HUM-FL-7: Develop a nutritionally balanced diet for children in the different stages of childhood. 7.1 Identify the requirements for a nutritionally-balanced diet for the child in the different stages of childhood. 7.2 Determine the health effects of a diet lacking required problem nutrients. 7.3 Identify common factors that put a child at nutritional risk. 7.4 Discuss the impact of environmental factors on the child’s diet. 7.5 Evaluate the use of dietary supplements in childhood. 7.6 Determine how the school nutrition program meets the nutritional needs at different stages of childhood. 7.7 Compare and contrast the nutritional value of cow’s milk, goat’s milk, soy milk, and various other non-dairy milks and the role in meeting the nutritional needs to the child.

Growth Rates Slow down in childhood more so than the first years of life. Chubby toddlers become taller, thinner preschool children. Is still learning muscle control in the early school years. Outdoor play and coordination activities are important. Very active during these years and parents should encourage exercise through play. Exercise promotes wellness and helps them develop strong muscles.

Nutrient Needs During Childhood Preschool and school age children need more nutrients than infants and toddlers due to larger body size. Requirements for high quality protein, vitamins and minerals increase for children four and over. An adequate supply of nutrients allows for growth and maintenance of new body tissue. Children should eat a varied diet of nutritious foods. Diets should contain enough calories from carbohydrates (whole grain cereals, breads, and pasta to spare protein for tissue building.

Nutritional Supplements Best source of vitamins and minerals for children is through their diet. Those who need vitamin and mineral supplements are those children who are at a nutritional risk. Examples of those who need supplements: Child who is underweight On a restricted diet Chronic Illness Multiple Food Allergies

Caloric Needs of Children AgeBoyGirl 21,000 31,4001,200 4 to 51,400 61,6001,400 7 to 81,600 91,8001, , ,0001, ,2002,000

Meal Schedules for Children Children need regular meal schedules Nourishing meals and snacks Their stomachs are small but their energy level is high Remember having snack time in elementary school Do you still need snacks during the day? Mealtime might not be enough food to satisfy their hunger so this makes snacks very important.

Meals For Children Eat meals throughout the day Breakfast (is very important) Should provide carbohydrates and a small amount of fat. Provides ¼ of the daily requirements for calories & protein. Children who skip breakfast may have trouble concentrating or preforming well in school. May also have trouble meeting their nutritional needs each day.

Meals For Children Lunch Nutrient Dense lunches provides energy for after-school activities Snacks Helps to meet nutritional needs Examples: fruits, yogurts, raisins, carrot sticks, and fat-free milk Limit snack foods that have high salt, sugar or fat content. Too much snacking at the wrong time can spoil a child’s appetite. Help kids learn good snacking habits by offering the appropriate amounts of food. Ex: serve two graham crackers or a cup of plain popcorn

Foods to Avoid Some foods are a choking hazard to children under 3 to 4 years of age. Small hard foods like… Nuts, popcorn, raw carrot pieces, raisins and seeds. Hard candy and cough drops TIPS Cut meat and poultry into small pieces Slice grapes in half Cut or break food into small pieces they can eat

Learning Good Eating Habits Set an example by choosing and eating healthy foods Find food they enjoy that are healthy and make snacks from those. Make meals and snacks a time positive interactions You don’t want to them to dread coming to the table It should be a time the family is together and happy. Don’t reward or punish children with foods. Teaches negative attitudes about eating. Set examples of good manners and encourage them to follow dining etiquette.

Food Jags Food Jags -Wanting just one food for a while. This is a step toward independence Don’t worry if this happens Usually doesn’t last long DON’T GIVE UP: continue to introduce new nutritious foods during this time. It takes 21 days to form a habit. The same is true about food they don’t like.

Nutrition & Fitness Problems Children today grow taller then those years ago. Availability of healthy foods More likely to be over weight or obese Poor eating habits an lack of exercise are the main causes Provide healthful foods Help children learn how to make healthy choices Encouraged to drink water instead of sugary drinks.

Nutrition & Fitness Problems cont. Meals and snacks need to be nutrient rich. Limit time on sedentary activities (video games, TV, etc.) Children need to spend no less than 60 minutes a day being physically active. Promote healthy choices by explaining why it is important to eat nutritious foods, exercise daily and get enough sleep. As adults we should also demonstrate this to children.

Nutrition & Fitness Problems cont. Dental issues can also relate to nutrition problems Types of foods and when they are eaten can greatly affect dental issues Sticky, carbohydrate-rich foods eaten between meals are the chief promoter of the problem. Promote good eating and dental practices and it will prevent tooth decay and dental issues in children.

Children at a Nutritional Risk nBoth parents work irregular schedules Children need a regular meal schedule nFeeling tired or cranky from hunger will affect their appetites nLow income families Healthy food costs more and children need HEALTHY snacks nTheir stomachs are small, but their energy levels are high and they are not able to eat enough at dinner time to satisfy the need nParents/Family have history of obesity or chronic disease nChildren who have food allergies or intolerances

Common Nutrient Deficiencies Protein, vitamin A, iron, and zinc - In the U.S., these deficiencies usually go unnoticed Iron deficiency seems to be the most common of the above - Anemia can result from this deficiency - Iron supplements should only be suggested by a physician Iron toxicity (through ingesting too many iron pills) is the leading cause of poisoning

Childhood Obesity Children who are obese are more likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other chronic diseases Childhood obesity can affect a child’s self-esteem and self- concept Characteristics of CO Non-European descent Family history of type 2 diabetes Low family income Eat when they are not hungry Watch excessive amounts of TV Sedentary lifestyles Parents who are obese

Childhood Obesity Cont. Treatment/Prevention Appropriate food portions Setting regular mealtimes Nutritious snacks Limiting high sugar/high fat foods Parents set a good example Physical activity Slow down eating Limiting TV time Parents should not use food as a reward/punishment

School Nutrition nSchool nutrition for childhood usually starts at the preschool years and continues through sixth grade nIt is important to remember that sweets should be limited in a nutritious diet; nutrient-rich foods should be used to satisfy hunger nChildren develop tastes for certain foods at an early age and the eating habits and attitudes children learn are likely to last a lifetime

School Nutrition Cont. nSchool lunches must follow the Dietary Guidelines Recommended that no more than 30 percent of an individual's calories come from fat and less than 10 percent from saturated fat. nProvide 1/3 of the Recommended Dietary Allowances of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, calcium, and calories. nMust meet Federal nutrition requirements, but decisions about what specific foods to serve and how they are prepared are made by local school food authorities.

School Nutrition Cont. The 2006 Child Nutrition Act mandated that every school district that participates in Federally funded meal programs develop a School Wellness Policy The policy includes rules on vending machines, competitive food items, and nutrition education

As Children Learn REMEBER Children need meal times that are pleasant, not pressured. Children like colorful foods and interesting shapes Small servings are best (children can always ask for more) Children like to participate in preparing meals, serving food or setting the table. Children can decide how much they need to eat Children like feeding themselves it promotes independence

??? Land Design your own HEALTHY version of the classic children’s game “Candy Land” The object of the game is to advance to a healthy life by avoiding factors that contribute to obesity, as well as making healthy food choices Include in your game ways to prevent obesity Examples could include: Eat an apple, advance one space Play outside for 30 minutes, advance two spaces Eat a candy bar and drink a coke for lunch, lose a turn Include the “bad guys” of obesity and the “good guys” of healthy nutrition Examples could include Harry Hypertension Dungeon of Diabetes Bouncing Broccoli