Nutrition/children - Essay Example

Nutrition needs differ per person. But there can be a generalized nutrition guide for adults and children. Children have specific nutrition needs that differ from adults. This is because children’s bodies are developing. The nutrients that their body need are those that would help with the growth and stability of their bodies. Adult bodies, on the other hand, need nutrients for their bodies primarily for sustenance and to prevent illnesses that accompany ageing (Wikipedia). There are two groups of nutrients that people need – macronutrients and micronutrients.

The macronutrients are those that are taken in by bulk amounts and are needed in huge quantities. The micronutrients are those that are needed by the body but are taken in by small, sometimes even minute quantities. The primary foci in this paper are the carbohydrates, proteins and fats, macronutrients that are most essential for developing children (Wikipedia). Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are focused on because the intake of these materials for children is greatly different from that of an average adult.

Carbohydrates and fats are avoided by some adults because it is fattening. Some adults avoid carbohydrates because of the sugar content. Meat, a source of protein, are not eaten by an average adult in the quantity as the same as that of a child (Wikipedia). Carbohydrates are a source of energy for people. In fact, it is the most common source of energy, especially since it requires less water to digest than proteins or fats. As children are very energetic and are in their developmental phase, they need plenty of these materials.

However, carbohydrates are not as essential to the body as compared to proteins, etc. This is because the body can get the energy that it needs from fats and proteins. But it is still important because the neurons in the brains cannot burn fat and needs glucose for energy (Wikipedia). Fats are needed in the body for