Nutrition of children and adolescents

SHARE WITH FRIENDS:

Proper organization of nutrition is of great importance for the normal physical and mental development of the child and adolescent. Malnutrition delays the growth and development of the child, weakens the body's resistance. Overeating disrupts metabolic processes, reduces appetite and impairs digestion. Depending on the age of the child and adolescent organism for proper nutrition, the physiological needs for proteins, fats, carbohydrates (see Table 1) and vitamins (see Table 2), as well as between the basic nutrients it must be taken into account that the ratio is correct.

Yoshi	Proteins	Fats	Carbohydrates
1-3	4.0-4.2	4.0	10-15
3-7	3.5	3.5	10-15
7-11	3.0	2.0	10-15
11-15	2.5	2.5	10-12
15-18	2.0	2.0	8-10

Table 1. Daily requirement of children, adolescents for proteins, fats and carbohydrates, 1 kg of body weight. per gram.

Yoshi	A	B1	B2	B6	C	D	PP
1-1.5	1.0	0.8	1.1	0.9	35.0	0.15	9.0
1.5-2	1.0	0.9	1.2	1.0	40.0	0.15	10.0
3-4	1.0	1.1	1.4	1.3	45.0	0.15	12.0
5-6	1.0	1.2	1.6	1.4	50.0	0.15	13.0
7-10	1.5	1.4	1.9	1.7	50.0	0.15	15.0
11-13	1.5	1.7	2.3	2.0	60.0	0.15	19.0
14-17 (teens)	1.7	1.9	2.5	2.2	80.0	0.15	21.0
14-17 (girls)	1.5	1.7	2.2	1.9	70.0	0.1	18.0

Table 2. Daily requirement of children and adolescents for vitamins, mg,%.

It is important for children, especially infants from 1 to 3 years of age, to have protein rich in essential amino acids in their diet. Ingredients such as milk, cottage cheese, eggs, meat are rich in such proteins. The need for fats should be met mainly at the expense of vegetable oils (sunflower, corn, cotton), as they are rich in semi-unsaturated fatty acids that are better absorbed by the body. It is useful to add vegetable oils to vegetable purees and salads.

Food for children and adolescents must meet a physiological need to cover the energy expended. Energy expenditure is 1,5 kcal at the age of 3-1500 years, 3 kcal at the age of 5-1800 years, 5-8 kcal at the age of 2000-2400 years, 8-12 kcal at the age of 2400-2800 years, and up to 13 kcal at the age of 16-3000 years.

The best ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the diet of children and adolescents is 1: 1: 4. The insidious violation of this ratio has a negative impact on health, even when the amount of nutrients and vitamins that enter the body with food is sufficient. Excessive consumption of animal fats, in particular, can lead to childhood obesity and growth retardation. When carbohydrates are taken in in excess, the body retains water, leaving the child pale, loose, often ill, and most complications of the disease.

The diet of children and adolescents should be varied. A monotonous diet suppresses the appetite. Ingredients used in children's and teenagers' food should be fresh and of high quality. Fatty meat can be given only to children of adult school age (14-17 years). It is not recommended to give children and adolescents raw, poorly cooked or smoked meat, as the child may be poisoned or infected with worms, and such meat is not well absorbed. Salty or spicy medicated meat and fish dishes should also be avoided.

Foods with pepper, vinegar sprinkled, mustard (mustard) should not be children under 8-10 years. All types of alcoholic beverages (beer, homemade muesli, etc.) are very harmful to the body of children and adolescents. Large amounts of bitter tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate have an irritating effect, especially in children under 3 years of age. Therefore, such products should be limited.

Children and adolescents should be fed 4 times a day. The amount of food is distributed as follows: breakfast -30%, lunch 40-45%, afternoon -10%, dinner 15-20%. Children who attend a kindergarten or other children’s facility and eat there 4 times a day should not be forced to eat at home. If a meal is served 2 or 3 times in a kindergarten or children's institution, additional feeding of the child at home is necessary. The last meal should be given 1,5–2 hours before bedtime.