Energy and metabolic needs in growing children

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1. Importance of energy needs for growing children

Growing children always have special energy needs to grow well and gain weight quickly. Babies who are only breastfed for the first 6 months of life usually develop best during this time. Breastfeeding protects babies from common diseases and ensures adequate energy needs for babies, helping them grow and develop well physically and mentally.
Thus, in order to know if the child's energy needs have been fully and effectively met, it is necessary to ask some important questions as follows:
Does the child eat enough meals every day? Children need to eat 3 to 5 times a day. Children with disabilities or congenital conditions may need extra help and feeding time. Does the child eat enough food? If the child eats all and wants to eat more, the child needs to be fed more. Is the child's meal too low in foods needed for growth or rich in energy? Essential foods for growing children are meat, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, cereals and beans. A small amount of oil will add energy. Red palm oil or other vitamin-rich cooking oils are good sources of energy. Children refuse to eat? If your child doesn't seem to like the taste of a particular food, other foods should be offered. New foods for babies should be introduced gradually so that children get used to them. Is the child sick? Sick children should be encouraged to eat small meals. After being sick, the baby needs extra food every day or the baby needs extra breast milk for at least a week. If the child is often ill, the child should be examined thoroughly. Is your child getting enough vitamin A to prevent illness? Breast milk is rich in vitamin A. Other foods that contain vitamin A are liver, eggs, dairy products, red palm oil, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables.... Can babies be breastfed? If the baby is under 6 months, it is best to exclusively breastfeed the baby. From 6 to 24 months, breast milk continues to be the best milk because it is a source of many important nutrients. Is the child's food and water clean? Otherwise, the child will often get sick. Raw foods should be washed or cooked. Cooked food should be eaten immediately, leftovers should be reheated thoroughly. Likewise, water for children to drink must also be obtained from a safe source and kept clean at all times.

2. Food groups essential for growing children's energy needs

Children and adolescents have special energy and metabolic needs for growth, learning and development. This means that children need foods and drinks that are rich in nutrients, with not too many calories, fat or sugar to create a strong foundation for a healthy life.
The secret to nurturing a growing child is to provide delicious, nutrient-rich foods with each meal and snack. Here are some food groups that can be selected and prepared quickly and easily to provide nutrition for children through breakfast, lunch and dinner:
Whole grain foods with Carbohydrates , fiber, B vitamins Whole grains have a lot of nutritional value and their carbohydrate content will provide fuel for a child's body to grow and stay active.
Parents should give children whole grains for breakfast, whole wheat bread, sandwiches, crackers for snacks and pasta for dinner. For added variety, try other whole grains like whole wheat and brown rice.
Fruits and vegetables with vitamins A, C, potassium and fiber For children and adults, it's important to eat more fruits and vegetables with each meal. For breakfast, parents should give children fresh berries with cereal or smoothies, a glass of 100% orange juice; for lunch, children can eat crunchy carrots or sliced ​​apples; For dinner, arrange brightly colored vegetables (broccoli, corn, sliced ​​peppers, frozen peas, or green leafy salad) on your child's plate.
Low-fat dairy foods with Protein, Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium and Phosphorus Nutrients in this group are important for growing children, but most babies don't get enough calcium or potassium in their metabolism.
Fortunately, however, if children can drink 3 glasses of milk a day, they can still get the nutrients they need. There are many nutrient-rich, low-fat dairy products for parents to choose from, like a glass of milk for breakfast, lunch and dinner; a cup of yogurt for an after-school snack or a piece of cheese when kids are outdoors
Lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans or nuts with protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins Whether Children are growing physically or mentally, these nutrients are very important. Sufficient protein in each main and light meal helps prolong feelings of fullness throughout the day.
Although most kids eat plenty of protein at lunch and dinner, it's important to include protein in breakfast or snacks as well.

3. Provide appropriate energy needs according to each stage of the child

Children who are growing up healthy will have a chance to become a healthier adult in the future. Children's energy needs need to be met with rapid growth in childhood. Therefore, proper nutrition for children will help form the physical foundations and healthy eating habits for a lifetime.
Infant nutrition In the first 6 months of life, the nutritional needs of babies need to be met with breast milk. If this is not possible, formula milk can provide nutrition for infants up to 6 months of age.
At around 6 months of age, babies need several important nutrients, especially iron. The content of this essential mineral in breast milk begins to decrease and your baby will need iron supplementation through the weaning diet. 11 milligrams (mg) of iron per day is recommended for babies 7-12 months old. So iron-rich cereals, fruit or vegetable purees, and other options can provide the extra nutrients a baby needs in addition to breast milk or formula.
In addition, infants also need zinc, calcium and vitamin D. Specifically, babies need to get 260 mg of calcium between 6 and 11 months and 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D. This vitamin and mineral pairing combines work together to support strong bones.
In addition, fats are important for the development of the brain and nervous system. So don't limit your child's fat intake, especially those of vegetable origin.
Toddler Diet The calorie needs of a growing toddler at the age of 1 to 3 can vary, usually from 1,000 to 1,400 calories. As a general rule, to calculate a child's energy needs for each day, aim for about 40 calories per inch of height for the child. For example, a toddler who is 30 inches tall should eat about 1,200 calories per day. What's more, a child's energy needs can vary depending on activity levels.
In addition, growing children continue to need about 700 mg of calcium per day to support strong bones. On the other hand, for the digestive system to work smoothly, children need to provide enough fiber. The right sources of fiber for children are from vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains.
Diet for 4 to 10 year olds Healthy children in this age group can eat 1,200–2,000 calories per day. For active children, whose metabolism is faster, their energy needs will also be higher.
In which, calcium is still an essential element for bone growth. Children in this age group need 1,000 mg of calcium and 600–1,000 IU of vitamin D. Furthermore, they also need an adequate intake of essential vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin E and folate.
In addition, school-age children will have more food choices without limitations. Children can choose their own lunch at school or when going out to play. On the other hand, children at this age can start helping their parents more in the kitchen. Therefore, children should be involved in meal planning and preparation to create educational opportunities and help build good eating habits.
Nutrition for older children Pre-teen and teen life can be hectic and varied, requiring a balance between family, school, activities, and social life.
At this busy age, children are still developing and puberty brings its own changes and challenges. Good nutrition for children in this age group should be maintained with 1,300 mg of calcium per day for bone development. At the same time, children still need to ensure their meals are high in fiber and extra iron for girls (15 mg) when menstruation begins.
Nutrition for children when sick During illness, children need to have appropriate nutrition. After being sick, children need to eat at least one extra meal a day for at least a week. When a child has an infection, especially diarrhea or measles, his appetite decreases and his body uses food less efficiently. If this happens several times a year, the child's growth slows or stops.
Thus, encouraging children to eat when sick is essential. However, it can be difficult for parents because sick children may not have an appetite. It is important to continue to give your child foods that he or she likes, a little at a time and as often as possible. Extra breastfeeding is especially important.
Also, dehydration is a serious problem for children with diarrhea. Drinking plenty of fluids will help prevent dehydration.
If the condition is sick, poor appetite persists, it is necessary to go to a nutritionist for the child for proper guidance and treatment by a doctor.
With many years of experience in examining and treating diseases in children, now the Pediatrics Department at Vinmec International General Hospital has become one of the major health care centers, capable of examining , screening and treatment of many specialized diseases in children. Therefore, parents can bring their children to Vinmec International General Hospital for examination and receive support and advice from qualified doctors.