Nutrition in Children
affects their physical, emotional, and
intellectual development.
Poor eating habits can exacerbate emotional and physical problems.
Childhood Obesity
is overweight if he or she is above the 95th percentile for body mass index (BMI) by sex and age.
85% of obese children over the age of 10 will become obese adults.
Leads to many health and social
problems:
Increased severity of asthma
Increased blood pressure and heart rate
Type 2 diabetes
Sleep apnea
Hyperlipidemia
Hip and knee problems
Social stigma
Treatment
Exercise and portion snacking control
Calorie needs
will depend on rate of growth, activity level,body size, metabolism and health
What Parents Can Do
Provide only healthy and nourishing foods.
Limit screen time.
Never tell them they are too fat.
Learn correct portion
It is more important how often and how much is eaten rather than what.
Never provide food as comfort or reward.
Eat only at the table and designated times.
Give water rather than juice, soda, or sweetened drinks.
Eat slowly.
Determine reasons for eating.
Adolescence
Period of rapid growth and physical changes causing increased calorie needs.
Adolescents typically have enormous appetites.
Often substitute popular low nutrient density foods.
Food choices are effected by peer pressure and busy schedules.
Except for Vitamin D, all nutrient needs increase.
Menstruation in girls create a higher need for iron.
The DRIs for many nutrients are higher for boys than for girls
Anorexia Nervosa
Psychological disorder causes to drastically reduce
calories consumed, causing altered metabolism.
Distorted body image and a fear of being fat.
Clients often exercises excessively.
May result in hair loss, low blood pressure, weakness, amenorrhea, brain damage, and
even death
Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa
Individual and family counseling
Self-acceptance
Nutrition therapy
Close supervision
Time and patience
Bulimia
Syndrome
the client alternately binges and purges by inducing vomiting and using laxatives and
diuretics to get rid of ingested food.
Fear of being overweight.
Often binge on high-caloriefoods
Usually not life-threatening
Can irritate the esophagus and cause electrolyte imbalances, malnutrition, dehydration, and dental caries
Treatment for Bulimia
Limit eating to mealtime
Portion control
Close supervision after eating
Psychological counseling
Overweight
Contributing factors: heredity,
overfeeding as an infant or child, and psychological factors
Fast Foods
excessively high in fat, sodium, and calories, and limited in minerals, vitamins, and fibers.
often used as snacks by teens, adding extra
calories.
Should be used with discretion in a balanced
diet
Alcohol and the Adolescent
contains 7 calories per gram but few nutrients.
a depressant with serious side effects.
Affects absorption and normal metabolism of
glucose, fats, proteins, and vitamins.
causes excess water and mineral loss.
Excessive, long-term drinking can lead to liver
cirrhosis, high blood
pressure, and damage to heart muscle.
Drinking teens are prone to accidents and random acts of violence
Marijuana
Use continues to
increase among teens.
Increases appetite, especially for sweets
cigarettes are more harmful to the
lungs than tobacco cigarettes.
May lead to the use of other drugs
Cocaine
Highly addictive and extremely harmful
Weight loss is very common due to decreased appetite.
Half of crimes against property in the United
States are related to the use of crack cocaine.
Tobacco
addictive
Can influence appetite, nutritional status, and weight
Smokers need more vitamin C because smoking alters its metabolism.
Increases risk for lung cancer and heart disease.
Addictive Drugs
Inhalants are physically and psychologically addictive.
Risks include depression, apathy,nosebleeds, headaches, eye pain, chronic fatigue, heart failure, loss of muscle control, and death.
Nutrition for the Athlete
needs additional water, calories,thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, sodium,potassium, iron, and protein.
increase in calories depends on the activity and its length.
Plain water is the recommended liquid for rehydration.
Electrolyte drinks are useful after an athletic event, but not during one.
Glycogen Loading
Carboloading: sometimes used for long
activities
Begins 6 days before an event and involves a regimen of diet and exercise to maximize the amount of glycogen in the muscles
May result in an abnormal heart rate and some weight gain
Athletes should maintain good eating
and health habits.
Considerations for the Health Care Professional
Young children may have poor appetites
and parents may have related anxiety.
The health care professional can be most
helpful by exhibiting patience and understanding and by listening to the
client and the parents.
Working with adolescent clients with
disordered eating can be challenging.
Health care professionals working with
these clients should consult with the
client’s psychological counselor.
Parents of clients with disordered eating
must be included in counseling
Conclusion
Nutritional needs vary as children grow
and develop.
Nutrient needs gradually increase.
Anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and obesity
are problems of weight control that can
occur during adolescence.
Alcohol and drug abuse can be serious
problems in adolescence