1. The determinants of health and individual human development of Australian’s children
Chapter 7

2. Birth weight Read the section on birth weight.
What can a low birth rate determine?
Create a comparison chart using table 7.4 as a guide.
Regular measurements of an infant’s weight, height and head circumference over a span of birth to 36 months are taken. These measurements are placed on a percentile chart and compared against other babies of the same age and sex to assist in determining their overall health and individual human development.
See figure 7.12 page 201 weight for age percentile: girls birth-36 months.

3. Body weight
The body weight of a child is determined by behavioural factors (eating patterns and level of physical activity), the physical environment (access to recreation facilities), the social environment (the eating habits of the family and also genetics, for example is the parents have a low resting metabolic rate there is a high chance the child will inherit those genetics.
What does BMI stand for?
BMI = weight/height (m2)
BMI = 25 KG/ (1.25M)2
BMI = 16
The BMI is useful for adults because they have stopped growing which indicates increases in BMI relates to increases in body fat. Children on the other hand have not stopped growing therefore to make the BMI relevant to children, their BMI has to be compared against the BMI for age and gender percentile charts, which provides an indication of the child’s BMI in relation to other children of the same age and sex.
Ask students to look at table 7.5 and view the data.
Complete 1, 2, 4 and 5 of test your knowledge. Use the infant chart web link in your eBookPLUS to also look at your own BMI

4. Maternal nutrition
Behavioural determinants refer to an individual’s (or a group’s) action or patterns of living affect health.
A range of behaviours can influence the health and development of children and many of these behaviours are the responsibility of parents or guardians.
Behavioural factors that affect the health and individual human development of a children include:
sun protection, eating habits, level of physical activity, oral hygiene, maternal nutrition prior to and during pregnancy, maternal alcohol and drug use before and during pregnancy, parental smoking, breastfeeding and vaccination.

5. Maternal nutrition
For women of child bearing age, ensuring a health balanced diet prior to becoming pregnant is important for preparing the body for the demands of having a baby.
Ensuring good nutrition prior to pregnancy is also important because the ongoing development of the foetus is dependent on the health of the embryo.
In undernourished women, a greater proportion of cells are likely to form the placenta to the foetus, which means the foetus will be relatively small when it begins growth, and its development in the womb will be restricted. There is an increased risk that the baby will be a low birth weight when born.
Read about Folate (folic acid) Iron, and calcium maternal alcohol consumption. Write a few paragraphs on each as to why it is required throughout pregnancy and this risk associated to deficiencies in these particular nutrients.

6. Activity
Go to the eBookPLUS weblink: Healthy eating before and during pregnancy.
In the ‘more information section’ go the nutrition link and watch the video about nutrition.
What are the main points in the video?
(complete a few dot points for your reference)

7. Maternal alcohol consumption
Alcohol consumption can cause problems for women even before pregnancy because it may interfere with fertility in the first place. The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can cause significant harm to the unborn child.
When alcohol is consumed during pregnancy it can result in foetal alcohol syndrome. This is caused by the alcohol crossing through the mothers blood into the babies blood via the placenta. It may also narrow the blood vessels in the placenta and umbilical cord, resulting in restricted blood flow to the foetus. It may result in nervous system damage or even death.
Copy table 7.7 and also list the possible non physical affects of foetal alcohol syndrome.
Read the case study (figure 7.18) and answer the questions associated to it

8. Maternal drug use
A mother who uses drugs risks her life and her baby's. When a pregnant woman uses drugs, she and her unborn child face serious health problems.
During pregnancy, the drugs used by the mother can enter the baby's bloodstream. The most serious effects on the baby can be HIV infection, AIDS, prematurity and still birth, low birth weight, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, intellectual disability, stunted growth, poor motor skills, behaviour problems.
A mother's continuing drug use puts her children at risk for neglect, physical abuse, and malnutrition.

9. Maternal drug use The types of drugs that may be harmful include:
Prescription medicine, herbal medicine or nutritional supplements
Tobacco and alcohol
Caffeine
Illegal drugs (Cannabis, heroin, amphetamines)
Substances used as inhalants (glue, aerosols petrol)
The way potential for harm to the unborn child can depend on factors such as the type of drug, the method the drug is consumed or taken, the amount that is taken and how often it is consumed

10. Activity
Complete all questions on page 209 Test you knowledge and Apply your knowledge