Childhood and Nutrition
Nutritional needs change as children leave the • Children who do not consume adequate vitamin D
toddler years. School-aged children grow consistently, but at should be given a supplement of 10 micrograms (400
a slower rate than infants and toddlers. School-aged children international units) per day.
experience steady, consistent growth, with an average growth
rate in height and in weight per year. In addition, the rate of
growth for the extremities is faster than for the trunk, which Micronutrient Levels during Childhood
results in more adult-like proportions. Long-bone growth
stretches muscles and ligaments, which results in many Nutrient Children, Ages 4–8
children experiencing “growing pains,” at nighttime in
Vitamin A (mcg) 400.0
particular. They also experience the loss of deciduous, or
“baby,” teeth and the arrival of permanent teeth, which Vitamin B6 (mcg) 600.0
typically begins at age six or seven. As new teeth come in, Vitamin B12 (mcg) 1.2
many children have some malocclusion, or malposition, of
their teeth, which can affect their ability to chew food. Other Vitamin C (mg) 25.0
changes that affect nutrition include the influence of peers on Vitamin D (mcg) 5.0
dietary choices and the kinds of foods offered by schools and
afterschool programs, which can make up a sizable part of a Vitamin E (mg) 7.0
child’s diet. Food-related problems for young children can Vitamin K (mcg) 55.0
include tooth decay, food sensitivities, and malnourishment.
Also, excessive weight gain early in life can lead to obesity into Calcium (mg) 800.0
adolescence and adulthood. In school-aged children, muscle Folate (mcg) 200.0
mass and strength increase and motor skills show
Iron (mg) 10.0
improvement. At this life stage, a healthy diet facilitates
physical and mental development and helps to maintain health Magnesium (mg) 130.0
and wellness.
Niacin (B3) (mg) 8.0
Energy Phosphorus (mg) 500.0
• Energy requirements vary according to gender. Girls Riboflavin (B2) (mcg) 600.0
ages four to eight require 1,200 to 1,800 calories a day,
Selenium (mcg) 30.0
while boys need 1,200 to 2,000 calories daily, and,
depending on their activity level, maybe more. Thiamine (B1) (mcg) 600.0
• children should be provided nutrient-dense food at meal- Zinc (mg) 5.0
and snack-time, however, it is important not to overfeed
children, as this can lead to childhood obesity
Macronutrients
Factors Influencing Intake
• AMDR for carbohydrates, is 45–65 percent of daily
calories (which is a recommended daily allowance of • Family environment, societal trends, taste preferences,
135–195 grams for 1,200 daily calories). Carbohydrates and messages in the media all impact the emotions that
high in fiber should make up the bulk of intake. children develop in relation to their diet.
• AMDR for protein is 10–30 percent of daily calories (30– • Television commercials can entice children to consume
90 grams for 1,200 daily calories). Children have a high sugary products, fatty fast-foods, excess calories,
need for protein to support muscle growth and refined ingredients, and sodium.
development. • Therefore, it is critical that parents and caregivers direct
• High levels of essential fatty acids are needed to support children toward healthy choices.
growth the AMDR for fat is 25–35 percent of daily • One way to encourage children to eat healthy foods is
calories (33–47 grams for 1,200 daily calories). to make meal- and snack-time fun and interesting.
• Children should get 17–25 grams of fiber per day. • Parents should include children in food planning and
Micronutrients preparation, for example selecting items while grocery
shopping or helping to prepare part of a meal, such as
• Micronutrient needs should be met with foods first. making a salad.
Parents and caregivers should select a variety of foods • parents can also educate children about kitchen safety.
from each food group to ensure that nutritional • parents should offer nutritious desserts, such as fresh
Nutritional needs change as children leave the • Children who do not consume adequate vitamin D
toddler years. School-aged children grow consistently, but at should be given a supplement of 10 micrograms (400
a slower rate than infants and toddlers. School-aged children international units) per day.
experience steady, consistent growth, with an average growth
rate in height and in weight per year. In addition, the rate of
growth for the extremities is faster than for the trunk, which Micronutrient Levels during Childhood
results in more adult-like proportions. Long-bone growth
stretches muscles and ligaments, which results in many Nutrient Children, Ages 4–8
children experiencing “growing pains,” at nighttime in
Vitamin A (mcg) 400.0
particular. They also experience the loss of deciduous, or
“baby,” teeth and the arrival of permanent teeth, which Vitamin B6 (mcg) 600.0
typically begins at age six or seven. As new teeth come in, Vitamin B12 (mcg) 1.2
many children have some malocclusion, or malposition, of
their teeth, which can affect their ability to chew food. Other Vitamin C (mg) 25.0
changes that affect nutrition include the influence of peers on Vitamin D (mcg) 5.0
dietary choices and the kinds of foods offered by schools and
afterschool programs, which can make up a sizable part of a Vitamin E (mg) 7.0
child’s diet. Food-related problems for young children can Vitamin K (mcg) 55.0
include tooth decay, food sensitivities, and malnourishment.
Also, excessive weight gain early in life can lead to obesity into Calcium (mg) 800.0
adolescence and adulthood. In school-aged children, muscle Folate (mcg) 200.0
mass and strength increase and motor skills show
Iron (mg) 10.0
improvement. At this life stage, a healthy diet facilitates
physical and mental development and helps to maintain health Magnesium (mg) 130.0
and wellness.
Niacin (B3) (mg) 8.0
Energy Phosphorus (mg) 500.0
• Energy requirements vary according to gender. Girls Riboflavin (B2) (mcg) 600.0
ages four to eight require 1,200 to 1,800 calories a day,
Selenium (mcg) 30.0
while boys need 1,200 to 2,000 calories daily, and,
depending on their activity level, maybe more. Thiamine (B1) (mcg) 600.0
• children should be provided nutrient-dense food at meal- Zinc (mg) 5.0
and snack-time, however, it is important not to overfeed
children, as this can lead to childhood obesity
Macronutrients
Factors Influencing Intake
• AMDR for carbohydrates, is 45–65 percent of daily
calories (which is a recommended daily allowance of • Family environment, societal trends, taste preferences,
135–195 grams for 1,200 daily calories). Carbohydrates and messages in the media all impact the emotions that
high in fiber should make up the bulk of intake. children develop in relation to their diet.
• AMDR for protein is 10–30 percent of daily calories (30– • Television commercials can entice children to consume
90 grams for 1,200 daily calories). Children have a high sugary products, fatty fast-foods, excess calories,
need for protein to support muscle growth and refined ingredients, and sodium.
development. • Therefore, it is critical that parents and caregivers direct
• High levels of essential fatty acids are needed to support children toward healthy choices.
growth the AMDR for fat is 25–35 percent of daily • One way to encourage children to eat healthy foods is
calories (33–47 grams for 1,200 daily calories). to make meal- and snack-time fun and interesting.
• Children should get 17–25 grams of fiber per day. • Parents should include children in food planning and
Micronutrients preparation, for example selecting items while grocery
shopping or helping to prepare part of a meal, such as
• Micronutrient needs should be met with foods first. making a salad.
Parents and caregivers should select a variety of foods • parents can also educate children about kitchen safety.
from each food group to ensure that nutritional • parents should offer nutritious desserts, such as fresh
