Nutritional Needs of Children - Diet and Nutrition

Nutritional Needs of Children

Small children, particularly infants, require more of certain specific nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, than adults. The RDAs for vitamins and minerals for children are listed in Chapters 3 and 4. All children need more protein for energy, as well as some carbohydrates and fats, to ensure satisfactory growth and development. It is well known that many American children, however, consume too much sugar, and along with American adults, too much red meat.

Many parents attempt to follow sound nutritional guidelines for their children at home, but worry–with good reason–about the lunches and snacks their children eat at school. A 15-year study of the American school lunch program showed that school lunches contribute less than one-third of total daily nutrient requirements, and that intakes of dietary components related to cardiovascular disease risk were excessive. Sixty to 80% of children exceed RDA amounts of daily total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. The study reported by R. P. Farris in the May 1992 issue of the Journal of School Health concluded that schools could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by providing students with healthier foods and educational programs which promote healthier lifestyles.