Nutritional problems in children and adolescents

Organization of nutrition of children and adolescents is not only medical importance as a factor in the health of the individual child and its development, but also a great social significance as a factor in determining the health of future generations.

Of nutrition in children and adolescents due to key factors to distinguish the mature and the child's body - namely, growth and development. Children's bodies are different from adults by rapid growth and development, the formation of organs and systems. These physiological characteristics are determined by the needs of children and adolescents in the nutrients and energy. In turn, the high demand for nutrients and energy per unit of body weight of children is the need for proper selection of foods and their relations, ways of cooking and other features of the food service, provides the nutrients and energy.

Growth - is to increase the physical size of the body or parts of it, because of increased size or number of cells. Under development is understood the purchase and improvement of functions associated with the differentiation and maturation of organs and systems. Growth and development are determined by internal factors (genetic, hormonal), and environmental factors. In the practice of medicine for children's growth implies an increase in height and weight. Since the measurement of body weight easier and more affordable, the delay in body weight is an indicator of growth delay, though not always at the same time there is a real delay in the growth of the body length.

The highest rate of growth in weight and length of the child occurs during the 1st year of life. Thus, birth weight by the end of the 1st year of life increases 3-fold, and by age 2 - 4 times. Growth for 1 year increased by 50%, not even doubling to 4 years.The period after the infant and to adolescence is characterized by a slower rate of weight gain and length, but the linear physical growth of body weight and is continuing. Normal start of the period of growth spurt and puberty occurs when a child reaches 10 years of body weight of 30 kg. In adolescence the growth rate increased sharply again. The two periods in a person's life - infancy and adolescence - are characterized by the greatest need for nutrients and energy per unit of body weight.

Nutritional problems in children and adolescents

At preschool age probable failure

Gland Calcium Vitamin C Vitamin B 6 Vitamin D

Priority nutrients for teens:

Calcium Vitamin A Iron Vitamin C Zinc Vitamin B 6 Folacin

Disease of malnutrition in children:

Disease of malnutrition Anemia Dental caries Growth retardation Iodine deficiency Rickets Obesity and its consequences

Increased demand for nutrients in children is primarily due to a high demand for energy. In this regard, the need for increased nutrient involved in the exchange of energy - Vitamin B ₁ in ₂ , niacin, pantothenic acid. Another determining factor is the need for growth in the size of the body, especially the growth of muscle mass. To nutrients necessary for muscle growth are protein, pyridoxine (vitamin B ₆ ), potassium, folacin, vitamin B ₁₂ .

In children, high demand for dietary factors involved in hematopoiesis: protein, iron, pyridoxine, folacin, vitamin B ₁₂ . Finally, as a child in great need of food factors needed for bone growth: calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A, B, C, and protein. Cause of malnutrition is closely linked to increased need in children and adolescents in nutrients.

In favorable socioeconomic and hygienic conditions of malnutrition in healthy children do not have an epidemic of mass distribution. The rapid evolution of children's developmental period does not allow the body to develop manifestations of malnutrition at the time of breach. However, the hidden effects of micronutrient deficiency observed in children and adolescents in developed countries. In this regard, the possible consequences of a hidden characteristic of iron deficiency in adolescent girls are transformed into iron deficiency anemia in young women, especially during pregnancy.

Another example is the inadequate intake of calcium, which is not usually seen in children, but the degree of accumulation of calcium in the bones in childhood and young age is reflected in the distribution of bone density and osteoporosis, maturity and old age.

In developed countries, concern is growing prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents. Obesity in childhood and adolescence is a precursor to obesity in adulthood. As the main cause of obesity is considered low physical activity, combined with the excessive consumption of energy.