© 2007 thomson - wadsworth chapter 11 nutrition through the life-span: childhood & adolescence

© 2007 Thomson - Wadsworth

Chapter 11

Nutrition Through the Life-Span: Childhood & Adolescence


Early & Middle Childhood

• After age 1 growth rate slows• Body continues to change rapidly• Bones grow longer; muscles gain

size & strength


Energy & Nutrient Needs

• Children’s appetitesDecline markedly

around the first birthday

Thereafter, they fluctuate

Food energy intakes vary from meal to meal

Daily energy remains constant

• EnergyKcal needs depend

on growth & activity• 1 year = 800/day• 6 years = 1600/day• 10 years = 2000/day

9 million children over age 6 are obese

Vegans may have trouble meeting energy needs


Early & Middle Childhood

• NutrientsAre steadily

increased Important to

accumulate stores of nutrients before adolescence

Influences nutritional health for a lifetime

• Food PatternsVariety of foods from

each food group Increased calcium & fiber


My Pyramid for Children


Children’s Food Choices

• Need to be nutritious & appealing • Limit candy, cola, & other concentrated

sweetsNutrient deficienciesObesity

• Underweight children can have higher kcalorie foods Ice cream, pudding, whole wheat or

enriched crackers or pancakes


Malnutrition in Children

• Prevalent in very-low-income families

• 13 million children are food insecure

• WIC, School Breakfast & National School Lunch Program help

• Effects of hungerShort term

• Short attention span• Irritable• Apathetic & uninterested

Long term• Impaired growth &

immune system


Hunger & School Performance

• Children who eat breakfast function better

• No breakfast More overweight Poorer concentration Shorter attention span Lower test scores Tardy or absent more

often

• Low blood glucose

• Child must eat every 4-6 hours to maintain blood glucose

• Liver cannot store more than 4 hours worth of glycogen


Iron Deficiency

• Deficiency and behaviorEnergy crisisAffects mood,

attention span, & learning ability

More conduct disturbances

Affects brain before anemia develops

• PreventionNeed 7-10 mg/dayMilk intakes must be

limited after infancyEat lean meats, fish,

poultry, eggs, & legumes

Also whole-grain or enriched breads & cereals


Other Nutrient Deficiencies

• Any other missing or deficient nutrients can cause behavioral & physical symptomsIrritable, aggressive, disagreeable,

sad or withdrawnLabeled hyperactive, depressed, or

unlikable


Lead Poisoning in Children

• Can cause an iron deficiency

• Mild toxicityDiarrhea, irritability,

anemia, & fatigue

• Severe toxicity Irreversible nerve

damage, paralysis, mental retardation, death


Food Allergies

• Only 6% of children• Diminishes with age• Whole food protein

or large molecule enters the body & acts like an antigen

• Antibodies are produced

• Food intoleranceDoes not involve

the immune system


Food Allergies

• Asymptomatic & symptomatic allergiesMay produce

antibodies & have no symptoms

If no antibodies it is not an allergy

• Symptoms Nausea &

vomiting (GI)Rashes (skin) Inflammation or

asthma (nasal passages & lungs)

Anaphylactic shock (all body systems)


Food Allergies

• Immediate & delayed reactions can occur

• Anaphylactic shockPeanuts, tree nuts,

milk, eggs, wheat, soybeans, fish, or shellfish

Peanuts are #1

• Symptoms of anaphylactic shockTingling in mouth,

swelling of tongue & throat

Difficulty breathingHives swelling, rashesVomiting & diarrheaDecreased BP, loss of

consciousness, death


Food Allergies

• Food Labeling As of 2006, food labels

must indicate the presence of the 8 major food allergens

Equipment must be scrupulously cleaned to prevent cross-contamination

• Other adverse reactions Monosodium glutamate Natural laxatives in prunes Symptoms of GI problems Lactose & other

intolerances Psychological reactions

• Food dislikes May be nature’s way of

protecting against an allergy


Hyperactivity

• Affects behavior & learning in 5-10% of young children

• No cure• Behavior

modification, special education, psych counseling, drug therapy

• Not caused by poor nutrition

• Lack of sleep, overstimulation, too much TV or video games, too much caffeine, lack of physical activity


Food Choices & Eating Habits of Children

• Mealtimes at homeShould appeal to

children’s tastes & provide needed nutrients

Should also nurture child’s self-esteem & well-being

Sets the stage for lifelong attitudes & habits

• Honoring children’s preferencesFavor brown peanut

butter, white potatoes, apple wedges, & bread

Like raw vegetablesWarm not hot foodMild flavors with no lumps


Avoiding Power Struggles

• Don’t force to try new foods

• Don’t offer rewards to try new foods

• Don’t restrict them from eating favorite foods

• Offer 1 new food at a time

• Small amounts• Need 5-10

exposures to enhance preference

• New food at beginning of meal


Mealtimes at Home

• Television’s influenceAdversely affects

children’s nutritional health

Watchers tend to be overweight

Snack on advertised fattening foods

• Preventing chokingChild needs to sit

when eatingDo not let them run

with food in the mouth

• Play first• Child participation

Let them help plan & prepare meals


Meals at Home

• SnacksTeach them about

healthy snacksPieces of cheese,

sliced strawberries, cooked baby carrots, egg salad on whole-wheat crackers

• Preventing dental cariesTeach to brush & floss

after meals, rinse with water after snacks, avoid sticky snacks, select crisp or fibrous foods

• Parents need to serve as role models


Nutrition at School

• School BreakfastMost are from low-

income familiesProvides a minimum of

• 1 serving milk• 1 serving fruit or

vegetable or full-strength juice

• 2 servings of bread or alternate

• Two servings of meat or alternate or 1 of each

• School LunchFree or at a reduced

priceProvides at least 1/3

of recommendations for energy, protein, vitamin A & C, iron, & calcium

Must follow Dietary Guidelines for Americans


Competing Influences at School

• Why don’t students eat school lunch?Short lunch periods, long

waiting linesCompetitive meals from

fast-food restaurants, a la carte foods or foods from snack bars, school stores, & vending machines


The Teen Years

• Physical changes increase nutrient needs

• Meeting emotional, intellectual, & social needs is challenging

• Make more choices for themselves

• Social pressures AlcoholExtreme body idealsWill try latest fad diet

to effect immediate changes


Growth & Development

• Growth speeds up abruptly & dramatically

• Adolescent growth spurtDuration of 2 ½ yrsMales: 12-13 yrsFemales: 10-11 yrs

• MalesGreater muscle &

bone8 inches taller45 pounds heavier

• Females More fat6 inches taller35 pounds heavier


Teen Years

• Energy & nutrient needs vary depending on rate of growth, gender, body composition, & physical activity

• Obesity15% of U.S. children

& adolescents age 6-19 are overweight

• VitaminsNeed more vitamin D

to increase calcium absorption

• Iron Increases for both

genders• Calcium

Requirements peakNeed more milk


Food Choices & Health Habits

• Teens have irregular eating habits

• Rely on quick snacks or fast food

• Only 1/3 of teens eat evening meals at home

• Many skip breakfast• Need to have

nutritious, easy to grab food in the refrigeratorMeats for sandwichesLow-fat cheesesFresh raw vegetables &

fruitsFruit juice & milk


Teen Eating Habits

• Snacks¼ of daily energyMost are too high in

saturated fat & sodium & low in fiber

Also low calcium, iron, & vitamin A

• BeveragesFrequently drink soft

drinks with lunch, supper, & snacks

• Linked to weight gain• Caffeine may become

a problem

Milk consumption is decreased


Teen Nutrition

• Eating away from home1/3 of all meals

are not eaten at home

Other meals need to consist of

• Fresh fruits & vegetables

• Lean meats & legumes

• Peer influenceTeens are making

their own nutrition decisions

Peer influence is great during this time in their lives


Problems Adolescents Face

• MarijuanaAlmost ½ of high

school students report trying this drug

It promotes “the munchies”

• CocaineCraving replaces

hungerWeight loss is

common

• EcstasyCan damage brain

cells, increase heart rate & raise body temperature

Lose weight

• Drug Abuse in GeneralProduces multiple

nutrition problems


Problems Adolescents Face

• Alcohol By the end of high

school• 77% of students

have tried it• About ½ have been

drunk once Provides energy but

no nutrients

• Smoking Every day, 3000 young

people start smoking It eases feelings of hunger Smokers have lower

intakes of fiber, vitamin A & C, beta-carotene, & folate

• Smokeless tobacco Produces bad breath,

stained teeth, blunted sense of smell & taste


Nutrition in Practice

Childhood Obesity & the Early Development of Chronic Diseases


Childhood Health Problems

• Obesity in children is causing an increased prevalence of:Type 2 diabetesHypertension

• Due to overeating, inactivity, & smoking

• Leads to cardiovascular disease in adulthood


Some Potential Causes

• GeneticsDoes not appear

to play a determining role

Appears to play a permissive role

• Events during fetal developmentTheory: malnutrition

during a critical period of fetal development may promote a tendency toward obesity later in life

Lower birth weight increases risk of adult hypertension


Type 2 Diabetes

• Obesity is the most important risk factor

• 85% of children diagnoses with type 2 diabetes are obese

• ConsequencesHigh blood

pressureHigh blood lipidsAtherosclerosis Early CVD, kidney

disease, blindness, & miscarriages


Children’s Blood Cholesterol

• As blood cholesterol increases, atherosclerotic lesions increase

• Blood cholesterol rises as saturated fat intake increases

• Blood cholesterol correlates with childhood obesity, especially central obesity


Hypertension in Children

• Accelerates the development of atherosclerosis

• Need regular aerobic activity and weight loss


Epidemic of Obesity

• In past 30 years, prevalence in U.S.Has doubled for

young children & adolescents

Has tripled for children 6-11 yrs

• Eating more sugar & more kcalories

• Exercising less• Prevention

Eat slowly and enjoy companions

Stop eating when fullDon’t force to clean

their plate


Dietary Recommendations

• Do not limit fat & cholesterol for infants & children under two

• Older children need to replace high-fat foods with Low-fat choicesMore fruits & vegetablesNuts, vegetable oils, light canned

tuna or salmon, low-fat milk


How to Turn the Tide of Obesity

• Don’t smoke• Follow the Dietary

Guidelines for Americans 2005

• Follow the USDA Food Guide

• Be physically active each day

• Adults need to be role models for healthy behaviors

© 2007 thomson - wadsworth chapter 11 nutrition through the life-span: childhood & adolescence

Documents

thomson wadsworth slide

thomson wadsworth chapter

death slide

unlikable slide

childhood adolescence

food energy intakes

food protein

food intolerance