Toddler and Preschooler Nutrition

Key Nutrition Concepts Children continue to grow and develop physically, cognitively, and emotionally during the toddler and preschool age years Learning to enjoy new foods and developing feeding skills are important components

Key Nutrition Concepts Children have an innate ability to self-regulate food intake. Parents and caretakers have tremendous influence

Definitions of the Life Cycle Stage Toddlers—children between the ages of 1 and 3 years Preschool age children—between 3 and 5 years of age

Tracking Toddler and Preschooler Health Importance of nutrition status Disparity of nutrition status among racial and ethnic groups Healthy People 2010

Normal Growth and Development The 2000 CDC Growth Charts –body mass index (BMI) Common problems with measuring and plotting growth data

Physiological and Cognitive Development: Toddlers Cognitive development Development of feeding skills Feeding behaviors Appetite and food intake

Physiological and Cognitive Development: Preschoolers Cognitive development Development of feeding skills Feeding behaviors Innate ability to control energy intake Appetite and food intake

Other Factors Temperament differences –40% easy, 10% difficult, 15% slow- to-warm-up Food preference development, appetite, and satiety –appetite and satiety

Energy and Nutrient Needs Energy needs Protein Vitamins and minerals

Common Nutrition Problems Iron-deficiency anemia –preventing iron deficiency –nutrition intervention for iron- deficiency anemia Dental caries –fluoride Constipation Lead poisoning

Food security Food safety

Prevention of Nutrition- Related Disorders Overweight and obesity Prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity Nutrition and prevention of cardiovascular disease Vitamin and mineral supplements Herbal supplements

Dietary and Physical Activity Recommendations Dietary guidelines Food Guide Pyramid developed by the USDA for young children

Recommendations for Intake Iron Fiber Fat Calcium Fluids Recommended vs. actual food intake

Other Concerns Cross-cultural considerations Vegetarian diets –vegan and macrobiotic diet children tend to have lower growth rates but remain within normal ranges Child-care nutrition standards Physical activity recommendations

Nutrition Intervention for Risk Reduction Model program –Bright Futures in Practice: Nutrition Public food and nutrition programs –WIC –WIC’s Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program –Head Start and Early Head Start –Food Stamps