Unit UNIT- Children - - NUTRITION DURING PRE SCHOOL, SCHOOL AGE AND ADOLESCENCE The RDA for a preschool child ( - years) is given in Table . Table . ICMR recommended dietary allowances for pre-school children Nutrient Years - - Weight (Kg) . .
Energy (kcal) Protein (g) . . Fat (g) Calcium (mg) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (µg) Beta carotene (µg) Thiamine (mg) . .
Riboflavin (mg) . . Nicotinic acid (mg) Pyridoxine (mg) . .
Ascorbic acid (mg) Folic acid (µg) Vitamin B12(µg) . to . to Source: Dietary Guidelines for Indians - A Manual by Kamala Krishnaswamy, B. Sesikeran (Second Edition ), NIN, ICMR Energy The energy requirements of toddlers and children vary greatly based on differences in growth rate and level of physical activity.
Insufficient food intake during this stage will not only result in under nutrition in terms of inadequate weight gain but will also hinder growth. Protein Protein is the primary component in many body tissues. Proteins build, maintain and restore tissues in the body such as muscles and organs. As a child grows and develops, protein is a crucial nutrient needed to provide optimal growth.
Protein intake should be . to g/kg body weight. Fat Until the age of three years, dietary fat plays a role in brain development. Fat comprises approximately % of the central and peripheral nervous system that essentially control, regulate and integrate every body system; thus it is essential that growing toddlers obtain adequate fat from their diet.
A diet consisting of % of total calories from fat will help the child to meet their daily calorie and nutrient requirements for growth. Vitamins Vitamin A is essential to support rapid growth and to help combat infections. Inadequate intakes of vitamin A may lead to vitamin A deficiency which can cause visual impairment in the form of night blindness and may increase the risk of illness and death from childhood infections, including measles and those causing