6.2: Infancy and Childhood : Essentials in Nutrition-2021- Martinez 12/24/21, 5:05 PM
BIOD 121 PORTAGE LEARNING 6:2 INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD STUDY GUIDE
6.2: Infancy and Childhood
10:58
During the first year of life, an infant requires more nutrients and calories per pound of body
weight than during any other time of life. Rapid growth occurs as an infant will double their weight
during the first 4 to 6 months of life and triple it during the first year. Although growth slows after
the first year, intake is still important as adequate nutrients and calories are necessary to support
brain and physical growth. Children who do not receive adequate nutrients are at risk for
undernutrition, causing them to be short and underweight for their age. Undernutrition is more
prevalent in developing countries when breastfeeding ceases and the child relies on rice as a
main staple of the diet with minimal protein intake. In the United States, undernutrition may occur
due to poverty.
The best way to track an infant's or child’s growth is by using a growth chart. From birth to 36
months, the length, weight, and head circumference are recorded on a chart (Figure 6.2A). An
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, 6.2: Infancy and Childhood : Essentials in Nutrition-2021- Martinez 12/24/21, 5:05 PM
months, the length, weight, and head circumference are recorded on a chart (Figure 6.2A). An
individual’s growth pattern can be tracked and compared to other infants of the same age based
on percentiles. These percentiles represent the rank of the infant relative to the same age and
gender. In practice, if an infant is stated to be in the 60th percentile for weight, then, in a group of
100 babies, 59 would be smaller and 39 would be bigger.
For children ages 2-20, there are additional growth charts based on gender, weight, and height for
age (Figure 6.2B). In addition, the Body Mass Index (BMI) issued by the Center for Disease
Control (CDC) can be used as a tool to assess the growth of children and adolescents as well as
the risk for overweight and obesity in both adults and children. In children, a BMI at 85% or higher
can indicate a risk for obesity.
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BIOD 121 PORTAGE LEARNING 6:2 INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD STUDY GUIDE
6.2: Infancy and Childhood
10:58
During the first year of life, an infant requires more nutrients and calories per pound of body
weight than during any other time of life. Rapid growth occurs as an infant will double their weight
during the first 4 to 6 months of life and triple it during the first year. Although growth slows after
the first year, intake is still important as adequate nutrients and calories are necessary to support
brain and physical growth. Children who do not receive adequate nutrients are at risk for
undernutrition, causing them to be short and underweight for their age. Undernutrition is more
prevalent in developing countries when breastfeeding ceases and the child relies on rice as a
main staple of the diet with minimal protein intake. In the United States, undernutrition may occur
due to poverty.
The best way to track an infant's or child’s growth is by using a growth chart. From birth to 36
months, the length, weight, and head circumference are recorded on a chart (Figure 6.2A). An
https://portagelearning.instructure.com/courses/836/pages/6-dot-2-infancy-and-childhood?module_item_id=76808 Page 1 of 12
, 6.2: Infancy and Childhood : Essentials in Nutrition-2021- Martinez 12/24/21, 5:05 PM
months, the length, weight, and head circumference are recorded on a chart (Figure 6.2A). An
individual’s growth pattern can be tracked and compared to other infants of the same age based
on percentiles. These percentiles represent the rank of the infant relative to the same age and
gender. In practice, if an infant is stated to be in the 60th percentile for weight, then, in a group of
100 babies, 59 would be smaller and 39 would be bigger.
For children ages 2-20, there are additional growth charts based on gender, weight, and height for
age (Figure 6.2B). In addition, the Body Mass Index (BMI) issued by the Center for Disease
Control (CDC) can be used as a tool to assess the growth of children and adolescents as well as
the risk for overweight and obesity in both adults and children. In children, a BMI at 85% or higher
can indicate a risk for obesity.
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