Nutrition Status of Children
How might parents ensure that their children receive the adequate nutrients to suit their lifestyle?
Plus tips for parents!
Statistics
- Boys 5-11 - 14% overweight, 8% obese
- Girls 5-11 - 19% overweight, 9% obese
- 1 in 5 children (1-8 years old) have energy intakes greater than their needs
- A large portion of diets of 1-3 year olds do not contain enough fats to be in the recommended range
Energy Needs for Children
The amount of calories needed is based off of many different criterias. Ex. age, weight, height, gender, level of activity and risk of obesity. 35% of a child's energy intake should come from fats. A diet that is low in fat and high in fibre is not ideal for children as it does not provide enough energy
Nutritional Needs
Most children have the adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals except for vitamin D, and E as well as calcium, potassium and fibre. Supplements of vitamins A, C, and D are recommended for children 5 and under. Children’s sodium intakes are associated with increased risks of adverse health affects.
TIPS for Parents
- Monitor children's rate of activity (changes amount of calories your child(ren) need per day)
- Visit pediatrician if you are unsure of what nutrients your child requires
- Present food in different/creative ways so children may not recognize that they are eating a food that they don’t think they like (colours, shapes, etc.)
- Ensure all food groups are covered
- have your child eat mall frequent meals instead of large meals to keep up with their energy needs as they do not have large enough stomachs to handle large meals