Judith E. Brown Prof. Albia Dugger Miami-Dade College Nutrition for the Growing Years: Childhood through Adolescence Unit 30

Growth and Development Physical and mental development proceed at a high rate from infancy to adolescence These formative years lay the foundation for the rest of life

The Nutritional Foundation Children’s diets during the early years: Supply energy and nutrients for growth Teach children about food choices May have long-term effects on the risk of developing a number of diseases later in life

Characteristics of Growth

Growth Spurts

CDC’s Growth Charts Centers for Disease Control (CDC) growth charts for 2- to 20-year-olds are used to monitor growth progress Weight for age Height for age Weight for height Body mass index (BMI) for age

CDC’s Growth Charts Growth charts are expressed in percentiles Children in highest and lowest weight percentiles should be evaluated BMIs for age must be calculated 85 th - 95 th percentiles at risk for overweight > 95 th percentile at risk for obesity

How to Calculate BMI

Food Jags and Appetite Changes At times, children may eat very little, or only a few favorite foods Allow children to choose how much to eat, as long as growth continues normally and children are in good health

Hunger and Irritability Being hungry can make children irritable Gently offer food to a cranky child who has skipped a meal or played too long

Adolescent Growth Spurt Adolescent growth spurt: Girls age 9-12 Boys age During these years, teens gain: 50% of adult weight 20-25% of adult height 45% of total bone mass

Growth at Age 12 and Age 19

Predicting or Influencing Adult Height Children tend to achieve adult heights between those of their parents Height also depends on calorie, protein, and other nutrient intakes – and overall health People in economically developed countries are continuing to grow taller

Overweight and Risk Overweight and related disorders in adolescents have risen since the 1960s Type 2 diabetes Bone and joint disorders Abnormal blood lipids Elevated blood pressure

Overweight US Children

Causes of Overweight in Youth “Obesigenic” trends: Little physical activity Plentiful energy-dense foods Empty-calorie snacks Large portion sizes

Obesity Treatments Stomach stapling and diet drugs are used increasingly in children and adolescents – sometimes with serious side effects The “cure” for obesity in children and adolescents is prevention

Prevention of Overweight Healthy food choices in schools, fast-food restaurants, and at home At least 60 minutes/day of moderate to vigorous (not intense or high-impact) physical activity

Recommended Activities

Food Preferences Children have few inborn preferences Preference for sweet taste Genetic sensitivity to bitter tastes Most food preferences are learned, based on foods they are given New foods should be offered several times No food should be forced or prohibited

Food Preferences Likes and dislikes are almost totally shaped by the learning environment

Good Diets for Children and Adolescents

Good Diets

Good Snacks Yogurt Cheese Low-fat milk Nuts, seeds Pears Melons Bananas Oranges Apples Dried fruit Mangos Grapes Carrots Cucumbers Popcorn Peanuts Cherry tomatoes Peanut butter

Good Snacks

Fat Intake Recommended fat intake for children and adolescents: 25-35% of total calories As little saturated and trans fat as possible Increase omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA

Milk Is Good For Children

Status of Diets Children and adolescents consume: Too few fruits, vegetables, and whole grains Too little calcium and vitamin D About half the recommended intake of dietary fiber

Early Diet and Later Disease Diet-related factors influence disease development later in life High LDL/low HDL cholesterol → heart disease High sodium diets → hypertension Low calcium and vitamin D → osteoporosis Childhood obesity leads to diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, and hypertension