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Importance of health and nutrition in children

Early childhood is the crucial time for a child’s general, mental, physical, and logical development. We give them the best possible access to a quality life through right nutrition, best education, extracurricular activities, and resources. Children have a right to a nurturing, safeguarding environment as well as wholesome food and essential medical care to keep them healthy, foster growth, and support development. let’s talk about Importance of health and nutrition in children

Getting enough calcium, iron, and vitamins A, C, and D through proper nutrition is guaranteed. If a teen participates in sports, follows a particular diet, has an eating issue, they may require even more nutrients.

“Adolescents need more nutrients than adults because they gain at least 40 percent of their adult weight and 15 percent of their adult height during this period. (Jacob and Nair 2012).1”

Inadequate nutrition during the first 1000 days of a child’s life can also result in stunted growth, which is linked to cognitive impairment and poorer performance in school and the workplace.

Importance of health and nutrition in children:

  • it boosts a child’s ability to fight off infectious diseases,
  •   promotes healthy brain and other organ development, and
  •   enhances their level of activity and cognitive ability.

As per WHO, “In the first 2 years of a child’s life, optimal nutrition fosters healthy growth and improves cognitive development. It also reduces the risk of becoming overweight or obese and developing noncommunicable diseases later in life. Advice on a healthy diet for infants and children is similar to that for adults, but the following elements are unique to infants and children.”

Healthy eating during for a healthy childhood:

• Parents and other adults who are responsible for children should set a good example for healthy eating, drinking, and physical activity.

• Provide fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy, lean proteins, water, and sugar-free refreshments as well as healthful snacks and beverages.

• Schedule family dinners.

• Encouraging your child to help with meal preparation, grocery shopping, and cooking.

How to promote a healthy diet?

According to WHO, “Diet evolves over time, being influenced by many factors and complex interactions. Income, food prices (which will affect the availability and affordability of healthy foods), individual preferences and beliefs, cultural traditions, as well as geographical, environmental, social and economic factors all interact in a complex manner to shape individual dietary patterns.”

The measures of healthy eating habits:

The ideal eating routine for a child’s growth and development takes into account the child’s age, level of activity, and other factors.

Nutrient rich food is defined as having little to no added sugar, saturated fat, or salt and is high in nutrients. Children can acquire the nutrients they require while consuming fewer calories overall by focusing on nutrient-dense foods.

The diet should include nutrient-dense foods:

  • Dairy: Inspire your child to consume fresh dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese. Dairy products also include fortified soy beverages.
  • Protein: Select lentils, beans, peas, soy products, seafood, unsalted nuts and seeds.
  • Fruits: A variety of fresh or dried fruits should be consumed by your youngster. Try to consume fresh juices and freshly cut fruits. Remember that one serving of fruit equals 1/4 cup of dry fruit. And it is advised to soak dry fruits before consumption.
  • Vegetables: Several fresh veggies should be offered. Each week, select peas or beans together with green vegetables. Use vegetables that are lower in salt when making your selection or add less salt to the prepared curries.
  • Grains: Choose whole grains like oatmeal, popcorn, quinoa, brown or red or locally sourced brown rice, whole-wheat or multigrain chapatis, porridge etc.

Aim to limit your child’s calories from:

  •   Processed  sugar: Sugar that occurs naturally, including those in fruits and milk, is considered as natural sugar. eatforhealth.gov.au/…/n55f_children_brochure.pdf

  •   Saturated fats: Look for ways to substitute vegetable and nut oils, which include important fatty acids and vitamin E, for saturated fats when cooking. Consume fried and junk food infrequently.

  •   Salt: Iodized salt is beneficial for health, however processed foods with high salt content, such as pizza, pasta dishes, and soup, can harm the body and weaken the bones.

Children need to eat more as they grow. A child should include:

Ages 2 to 4: Daily guidelines for girls

Calories1,000 to 1,400, depending on growth and activity level
Protein2 to 4 ounces
Fruits1 to 1.5 cups
Vegetables1 to 1.5 cups
Grains3 to 5 ounces
Dairy2 to 2.5 cups

Ages 2 to 4: Daily guidelines for boys

Calories1,000 to 1,600, depending on growth and activity level
Protein2 to 5 ounces
Fruits1 to 1.5 cups
Vegetables1 to 2 cups
Grains3 to 5 ounces
Dairy2 to 2.5 cups

Ages 5 to 8: Daily guidelines for girls

Calories1,200 to 1,800, depending on growth and activity level
Protein3 to 5 ounces
Fruits1 to 2 cups
Vegetables1.5 to 2.5 cups
Grains4 to 6 ounces
Dairy2.5 cups

Ages 5 to 8: Daily guidelines for boys

Calories1,200 to 2,000, depending on growth and activity level
Protein3 to 5.5 ounces
Fruits1.5 to 2 cups
Vegetables1.5 to 2.5 cups
Grains4 to 6 ounces
Dairy2.5 cups

Ages 9 to 13: Daily guidelines for girls

Calories1,400 to 2,200, depending on growth and activity level
Protein4 to 6 ounces
Fruits1.5 to 2 cups
Vegetables1.5 to 3 cups
Grains5 to 7 ounces
Dairy3 cups

Ages 9 to 13: Daily guidelines for boys

Calories1,600 to 2,600, depending on growth and activity level
Protein5 to 6.5 ounces
Fruits1.5 to 2 cups
Vegetables2 to 3.5 cups
Grains5 to 9 ounces
Dairy3 cups

Ages 14 to 18: Daily guidelines for girls

Calories1,800 to 2,400, depending on growth and activity level
Protein5 to 6.5 ounces
Fruits1.5 to 2 cups
Vegetables2.5 to 3 cups
Grains6 to 8 ounces
Dairy3 cups

Ages 14 to 18: Daily guidelines for boys

Calories2,000 to 3,200, depending on growth and activity level
Protein5.5 to 7 ounces
Fruits2 to 2.5 cups
Vegetables2.5 to 4 cups
Grains6 to 10 ounces
Dairy3 cups
  • 2 to 3 years: 1 serve of fruit; 2½ serves of vegetables; 4 serves of grains; 1 serve of meat/poultry; 1½ serves of dairy
  • 4 to 8 years: 1½ serves of fruit; 4½ serves of vegetables; 4 serves of grains; 1 ½ serves of meat/poultry; 1½ to 2 serves of dairy
  • 9 to 11 years: 2 serves of fruit; 5 serves of vegetables; 4 to 5 serves of grains; 2½ serves of meat/poultry; 2½ to 3 serves of dairy
  • 12 to 13 years: 2 serves of fruit; 5 to 5 ½ serves of vegetables; 5 to 6 serves of grains; 2 ½ serves meat/poultry; 3 ½ serves dairy

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