Diet in
Childhood
The
rapid growth which occurs in foetal life and during infancy is
followed by a long period of gradual growth during childhood. This is
the time when the child starts exploring his environment and gets
exposed to the school situation. The number of influences on his mind
are, therefore, increased and his world of interaction widened. This
affects his food behaviour and eating patterns, some of which may be
considered problem issues. With careful understanding, these problems
may only be transient and can be overcome easily. However due to poor
eating habits, children particularly preschoolers, are more easily prone
to deficiencies like protein energy malnutrition, anaemia and vitamin A
deficiency.
Although by school age,
children have established a particularl pattern of meal intake, they
continue to be affected by the influences of their peers and the mass
media. At the same time they are burdened by the heavy schoolwork, class
competition and proneness to communicable diseases. The influences of
childhood get further pronounced during adolescence. A proper well
balanced diet, good eating habits, a good school lunch program combined
with some amount of nutrition awareness goes a long way in improving
their nutritional status.
Recommended Energy
Allowances for Children
| Group |
Age
(years) |
Energy
(kcal/day) |
| Children |
1
to 3 |
1240 |
| |
4
to 6 |
1690 |
| |
7to
9 |
1950 |
| Boys |
10
to 12 |
2190 |
| Girls |
10
to 12 |
1970 |
Recommended Allowances
of Proteins for Children
| Group |
Age
(years) |
Energy
(g/d) |
| Children |
1
to 3 |
22 |
| |
4
to 6 |
30 |
| |
7to
9 |
41 |
| Boys |
10
to 12 |
54 |
| Girls |
10
to 12 |
57 |
Diet and Feeding
Pattern
The preschool years are
ones that create a number of concerns about food intake. The disinterest
in certain foods may last from a few months to a few years. Food
preferences may change from time to time, that may range from day to day
or week to week. All the same, certain foods are accepted only when
cooked or served in a particular way. Appetite is erratic, with the
result the child may often eat one meal well but refuses the next.
In spite of this
preschoolers enjoy well prepared and attractively served food. They
prefer simple unmixed dishes which are neither too hot nor too cold.
Familiar foods are better liked and, hence, small portions of new foods
should be introduced only with already well accepted foods. A balance
should be maintained between hard and soft foods, and strong and mildly
flavoured foods in the meals. Colourful foods add variety and stimulate
interest.
Foods should be such that
can be easily manipulated and handled as preschoolers are
generally clumsy. Handy finger foods like cutlets, hard boiled eggs,
small sandwiches, rolls and whole fruits are easy to pick and eat,
especially at school. Even at the table small pieces of food that can be
easily handled with the spoon or fork should be served. Physical comfort
in sitting, deep unbreakable bowls, and cutlery with blunt edges helps
the child in his efforts in self feeding.
Vegetables are generally
disliked and consumption of sweets may be excessive. These however
should not be treated as issues by parents and handled with care. Too
much of attention at meal times only makes the child resort to unfair
means of achieving their ends.
A Days Sample
Diet Plan for a Five Year old Child
Namrita is a five year
old daughter of a government Officer. She attends Nursery school from
0900 hrs to 1200 hrs. She takes a packed mid morning tiffin to school
which she likes to eat while playing around. Her entire family is
vegetarian in their food habits. A day's diet for her is planned below:
Personal
Data
| Age |
5
years |
| Sex |
Female |
| Socio-economic
Status |
MIG |
| Food
Habits |
Vegetarian |
Recommended Dietary
Allowances
| Energy |
1690
kcals |
| Protein |
30
g |
| Vitamin
A |
400
µg retinol |
| Iron |
18
mg |
Sample Menu Plan
| Meal |
Menu |
| Early
Morning |
Milk |
| Breakfast |
Cheese
Toast |
| Mid-Morning
(packed tiffin) |
Rava
idli |
| |
Pear |
| Lunch |
Channa
Curry |
| |
Boiled
Rice |
| |
Carrot
& Cucumber salad |
| |
Mint
Raita |
| Evening
Tea |
Banana
Shake |
| |
Bread
Roll with Sprouts filling |
| Dinner |
Potato
Paneer Curry |
| |
Dry
Tindas |
| |
Chapattis |
| |
Cabbage
Kheer |
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