and nutrient deficiencies to over consumption and
decreased energy expended in physical activity. As
more research in childhood nutrition began to emerge,
it placed more of a focus on optimal growth and
cognitive development of children.Description
Public health dietary guidelines for childhood
nutrition resonate a diet that relies on fruits, vegeta-
bles, whole grains, low-fat and nonfat dairy products,
legumes, fish, and lean meats. They also emphasize
low intakes of saturatedfatscholesterol, added sugar
and salt while recommending little to no trans fat
intake.Function
Healthful eating habits in childhood have been
shown to prevent chronic under-nutrition and growth
retardation as well as acute child nutrition problems
such as iron-deficiency anemia and dental caries. A
healthful childhood diet should also help preventobe-
sityand weight-related diseases, such as diabetes.
Adequate intake ofcalciumare the first preven-
tative measure againstosteoporosislater in life. Cal-
cium intake is crucial during childhood, adolescence
and early adulthood to help reach peak bone mass.
Failure of children to meet calcium requirements in
combination with a sedentary lifestyle makes achieve-
ment of maximal skeletal growth and bone minerali-
zation challenging. Thus, most recommendations
include two to three servings a day of milk or dairy
products within a children’s diet.
Irondeficiency has negative effects on a child’s
motor and mental development and thus on their
capacity to do school work. Foods high in iron, such
as meats and fortified breakfast cereals are important
to a child’s diet to ensure that iron requirements
are met.
Research supports that children who are over-
weight experience psychological stress, decreasedbodyimagescores, and lower self-esteem when compared to
normal weight children of the same age. They are also
more likely than normal-weight children to become
obese adults, which can increase their risk ofcoronary
heart disease,hypertension, type 2 diabetes, gallblad-
der disease, osteoarthritis, and some cancers. For this
reason, many guidelines will support enough calories
for growth and activity while limiting foods of low
nutritional value and high in refined sugar.
High intakes of saturated fat have been associated
with increased plasma total and low-density lipopro-
tein (LDL) cholesterol in childhood and can ultimately
increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Most rec-
ommendations will suggest fat reduced foods such as
lean meats, low- or non-fat dairy products and limited
high fat snacks, pastries and candies.Guidelines
Many children’s health organizations support the
guidelines of the United States Department of Agri-
culture, Food Guide Pyramid for children.Grains
At least half of the grainsa child consumes each day
should be from whole grains, such as oatmeal, or 100%
whole-wheat products. The amount should increase
gradually from age 2 to 5 years, at age 2 this would be
too much, about one quarter to a third should be whole
grains. Consuming whole grains adds dietary fiber to the
diet that can help protect against diseases like heart
disease and diabetes, and also help control a child’s
weight. Refined grains, such as those in white bread
and white rice, which have been processed, and many
of the nutrients have been taken out are to be used in
reduced amounts.Dairy
Low-fat or non-fat dairy products are recom-
mended In the United Kingdom, low-fat milk is not
recommended for children until they reach age 2 and
skim milk is not recommended until age 5. Children 2
to 8 years old are suggested to have the equivalent to 2,
8-ounces of milk per day. For children 9 to 11 years
old should have the equivalent to 3, 8-ounces of milk
per day.Fruits
Aim for 1–2 cups of fruits per day. Limit fruit juice
consumption to meal times. Consumption of whole
fruits, fresh, frozen, canned, dried, rather than fruit
juice for the majority of the total daily amount is sug-
gested to ensure adequate fiber intake.KEY TERMS
Dietary deficiency—Lack or shortage of certain
vitamins or minerals within the diet that can result
in illnesses.
Healthy Eating Index (HEI)—A measure of diet
quality that assesses conformance to federal dietary
guidance.Childhood nutrition