PROMOTING GOOD NUTRITION Chapter 9

Nutritional Policies are important in Child Care Child care facilities serve at least 1 meal a day to about 5 million children in the US Child care menus are often high in fat and low in calories and important minerals, such as iron

Nutrition Policies Provide nutritional guidelines for optimal well-being Understand how the nutrients in foods provide for growth, development, maintenance and repair of the body Be aware of nutritional challenges Promote good nutrition through education, role modeling and supervision

Dietary Guidelines See Table 9.1 Nutritional research is constantly making new findings that result in changing recommendations for adult and child nutrition Food guide pyramid has been redesigned and includes exercise

Food Groups Bread, rice, cereal and pasta –Source of carbohydrates Vegetables and fruits –Source of vitamins and minerals –Source of carbohydrates Milk, yogurt and cheese –Source of fats

Meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, nuts –Source of protein –Source of fats Fats, oils, sweets –Use sparingly

Recommended Dietary Allowances U.S. RDA-the recommended amounts of essential nutrients such as protein, vitamins,and minerals that should be consumed daily to ensure good health Can be determined by reading “Nutrition Facts” on food labels

Nutritional Goals Reducing intake of fat, salt, sugar, cholesterol Increasing iron (which helps prevent lead poisoning) Increasing whole grain consumption Increasing vegetable and fruit consumption

Six Basic Nutrients 1. Carbohydrates 2. Fats 3. Proteins 4. Vitamins 5. Minerals 6. Water

Energy Nutrients Energy needed to sustain life is found in fats, carbohydrates, proteins Calories are a measure of our energy needs Carbs: provide a slow, steady source of energy Fats: animal fats are saturated and are relatively unhealthy. It is preferable to eat fats from vegetable sources. See Tables 9.3 & 4

Energy Nutrients, cont’d Proteins: necessary for growth, energy, and to fight infections a complete protein food contains all 9 amino acids. –Animal sources may be complete –vegetarians must combine sources to form complete proteins

Vitamins A: vision, skin, strong bones D: strong bones and teeth E: skin K: blood clotting B: thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid C:

Minerals Calcium: bones, teeth Phosphorous: Iron: deficiency causes anemia (big problem) Sodium: Magnesium: Potassium: Fluoride:

Water Needed to sustain life Dehydration can happen quickly in a young child, especially with diarrhea or fever

NUTRITIONAL CHALLENGES Malnutrition: rampant in the US due to lack of food or eating the wrong foods In the US high intake of salts and fats has led to high incidences of hypertension and high cholesterol –Fast foods –Processed/convenience foods

OBESITY Childhood obesity is rising It is due to too little exercise, nutritional imbalances,and/or genetic factors It can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, low self-esteem

DENTAL CAVITIES Especially prevalent in low-income families Fluoride in water and toothpaste can help prevent cavities Proper tooth brushing (2 minutes) Water in bottles at bed time

IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA The most prevalent nutritional problem of childhood More likely to occur in poor children Infants starting at 4-5 months need iron fortified cereals to provide enough iron intake

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE & HYPERTENSION High intake of cholesterol can lead to heart disease, the number one cause of death in the US Hypertension (high blood pressure) may be triggered by excess weight and salt intake

FOOD ALLERGIES Common causes: milk, peanuts, orange juice, wheat, eggs, pork Common symptoms: rashes, digestive problems, difficulty breathing

IMPLICATIONS Education of children and parents –Culturally sensitive –See Table 9.6 Role modeling See Table 9.8 Supervision