Nutrition from Infancy to Adolescence - Term Paper Example

?Your  Nutrition from Infancy to Adolescence Healthy diet which is rich in nutrient supports better growth and development of child in infancy, childhood and adolescence, in addition to building the foundation for adult health. Optimum level of nutrients and quality feeding for infants and children are crucial for avoiding malnutrition and other health issues (Barclay and Lawrence 551). Child experiences most changes in physical, cognitive, emotional, and social growth from infancy to adolescence. For determining child’s nutrient needs at any stage, his rate and stage of growth are considered fundamental factor. Other factors include: body size, physical activity, health state, and basal energy use. A wide range of body requirements are based on individual characteristics (Lucas, Beth, and Sharon 103).The main objective here is to briefly analyze the nutrition needs of children from infancy through childhood and adolescence. Infancy Nutritional needs of infants are not very different from adults, it includes, energy, protein, minerals, vitamins. Yet, there is a difference in three major aspects. Firstly, the energy need per unit of weight is higher than that of adults. Secondly, the food for infants should incorporate a higher portion of tissue-building material, such as, protein, mineral elements, and vitamins as compared to adult food. Thirdly, infant diet should be consisted of food which is appropriate for the digestive capacity of this particular age. Moreover, quantity of the foods should be adjusted according to the needs of growing child (Joshi 166). Infancy is a robust growth period of child’s life and spans from birth to one year of age. Within six months after birth, an infant doubles his birth weight and triples it by one year. Meaning thereby, a newborn with 2.7kg at birth will be nearly 5.4kg at six months and 8kg in one year. During infancy, child begins crawling, babbling, sitting, and even walking in some cases. Usually, girls are faster than boys in these respects (Joshi 166). There are different nutrition needs in all the three phases. Initial needs of an infant are fulfilled by breast or formula milk, but later needs are satisfied by appropriate food as he starts eating. Using common sense when it comes to selecting an infant’s food in addition to a nurturing and relaxed environment leads to better health and well-being. At first year, child’s growth directly reflects the level and quality of nutrient intake (Whitney and Rolfes 547). According to ICMR, daily intake of 120 calories per kg of bodily weight is recommended during first six months that should be reduced to 100 cals/kg of body weight during next six months (qtd. in Joshi 170).Joshi explains that high protein is essential to support the rapid growth and breast milk is ideal and recommended source to provide it (170).ICMR advocates 2.3-1.8g/kg body weight of protein intake during first six months and 1.8-1.5g/kg in the next (qtd. in Joshi 170). In early days, simple carbohydrates should be fed because amylase (a starch digesting enzyme) is not produced by body. The enzyme starts functioning in third or fourth month when starch is introduced. Adequate amount of fluids are essential for urinary excretion. Because of the absence of teeth in infants, only liquid or semi-liquid foods should be given until teeth start to develop. Infant body has limited storage for iron, therefore, iron, in addition to vitamin and minerals, particularly calcium and phosphorous supplementation is vital. Initially, these supplements can be given as drops of oral preparations and later in a form of mixture with milk or fruit juices, but amounts should be kept moderate(Joshi 170). Breast milk is ideal for infant as early period of 4-6 months are of rapid development, particularly brain growth. In addition to protein, amino acids and fats in breast milk are ideal to meet these needs. It also contains anti-bacterial, anti-infection agents, and immunoglobulin that works for immune system. Formula milk may replace breast milk but can’t be as nutritious and healthy for child as breast milk (EUFIC 2006).However, if due to some reason mother can’t feed, the milk should be weaned off the breast and bottle feeding should be introduced in order to make the child used to it (Joshi 170). Childhood Childhood is slower growth period with irregular spurts of growth but it is comparatively less demanding. Typically, a child gains 1.8-3.6kg weight and 5-10 cms height every year. Slower growth rate spurts up during puberty and reaches at climax during adolescence. It starts earlier in girls as compared to boys and the process declines in a gradual manner when growth is ceased and body structure becomes stable. Most children can grow larger if they are provided with quality diet and all the favorable conditions of optimum nutrition (Joshi 166). During infancy, child grows rapidly and therefore, the energy need increases. Childhood can be classified as a: toddler (one to three years of age), pre-schoolers (three to six years of age), and young school age (six to twelve years).Toddlers have lower appetite and they eat lesser (Joshi 174). In order to reach adulthood with good amount of iron in store, it is recommended that 7mg of iron is taken by children of 1-3 years daily (Samour and Kathy 104). During second year, muscle development is higher with lengthening bones; however, skeletal growth is not as speedy. Though toddlers needs less calories but proteins and minerals are essential for this age group’s development. Starting from infancy, teething period continues during early childhood. It is important to provide a variety of food in order to meet the nutrient need (Joshi 174-175). For pre-schoolers specific nutrients, such as; protein, iron, and calcium are suggested to be emphasized because of the continuous growth and development of muscles. Protein requirement remains high, moreover, vitamins C and A are also crucial for tissue growth and its development. During young school age, the growth is not as rapid as infancy but continues in a gradual manner. Both boys and girls start building resources for their future rapid development, adolescence that is approaching. Boys grow slower than girls in pre-adolescence period. Due to slower growth, body requirement for food per unit body weight is low and it continues to pre-adolescence spurt. Variety of food is important to keep the child interested and fulfill the nutrient need of child (Joshi 175-177). Adolescence Puberty is the second period of rapid growth and development. Due to hormonal changes in body, numerous changes happen in body, such as, growth and development of bones like femur, development of sex organs and characteristics, muscle and fat development. This stage arrives earlier in girls at about eighth year and ends by 13 to 15 years. In boys, it starts comparatively late at nine and ends by 18 years (Joshi 166). Skelton is composed of approximately 99 per cent of body calcium and most of skeletal weight (45 per cent) is gained mostly as adolescence period spurts. Calcium must be gained from dietary sources in addition to vitamin D and phosphorous which are essential for building bones (EUFIC 2006).Calcium needs are higher during infancy and adolescence as compared to childhood. Iron needs are determined by the rate of growth, increase in blood volumes, and child’s rate of absorption from dietary sources (Samour and Kathy 104). Due to maturation and fluctuation in development, wide range of metabolic rate requires foods in greater capacity. This period is attributed to huge amounts of calories and proteins. Due to increasing appetite, the consumption of more carbohydrates and lesser proteins starts. Calcium and iron are required continuously for supporting muscle and bone growth. Girls’ need of iron is higher than those of boys due to menstrual iron loss which can make them susceptible to anemia. Due to higher metabolic rates, iodine requirement also increases. It is significant to take care of this nutrient because in some areas, it can be lacking in soil and food produced from it. In this situation, iodine can be easily provided in the form of iodized salt. Vitamin B is required by boys in higher quantity as compared to girls because of their energy needs and tissue development. Eating habits should be taken care of, vitamins, such as, C and A are lower due to improper snaking. It is essential to take more care of girls’ nutrition because they are more vulnerable to malnutrition than boys. Moreover, appropriate physical activity is essential in order to avoid excessive fat deposits. Girls in their teens are inclined to crash diet which can lead to malnutrition and future dangers associated with motherhood (Joshi 178-179). First year of life is a period of extraordinary growth and development. In proceeding years, child grows and changes at a comparatively low pace. But it still has phenomenal impact on future decades of life. The growth pace increases dramatically as the child enters into his or her teenage (Whitney and Rolfes 547).Quality and nutrient rich food is the requirement of every stage from infancy to adolescence. The only need is to educate parents about the nutritional values and its importance for children for better development in growing age and to ensure child’s preparedness for adult age with good health.    Work Cited Barclay, Andrew, Lawrence Weaver. “Feeding the Normal Infant, child and adolescent.”Medicine Journal 34.12(2006):551-556.Web.10 April 2011. EUFIC. Child and Adolescent Nutrition. The European Food Information Council, June 2006.eufic.org.Web.10 April 2011. Joshi, A.Shubhangini. Nutrition and Dietetics with Indian Case Studies. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill, 2010.Print. Lucas, Betty, Beth, Ogata, and Sharon, Feucht.”Normal Nutrition from Infancy through Adolescence.”Pediatric Nutrition.4th ed.Ed.Samour, Q.Patricia, and KathyKing.Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC. 2012.71-126.Print. Samour, Q.Patricia, and KathyKing.Pedritic Nutrition.4th ed. MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC. 2012.71-126.Print. Whitney, Ellie, and Rolfees, R. Sharon. Understanding Nutrition.11th ed. Belmont, USA: Thomson Wadsworth Learning Inc., 2008.Print. Read More