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8.4 - Health, nutrition and well-being of school-age children (7-12 years)

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Nutritional Requirements of School-Age Children

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today, we're looking at the nutritional requirements for school-age children, which are vital for their growth and development. Can anyone tell me why energy is crucial for this age group?

Student 1
Student 1

Because they are very active, and they need it to play and study!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! They need energy to fuel their activities. For children aged 7-9, they need about 1,690 calories a day, while for 10-12-year-olds, it increases to 2,190 to 2,010 calories, depending on gender. Now, can someone tell me which nutrients are particularly important?

Student 2
Student 2

I think protein and calcium are important for growth.

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! Protein supports growth, while calcium is essential for developing strong bones. Remember, we can sum up these key nutrients with the acronym PACE: Protein, Calcium, and Energy. Let’s not forget iron — vital for blood health!

Student 3
Student 3

What about vitamins?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! Vitamins, particularly A and C, also play crucial roles in overall health. Any final thoughts on why balance is essential in their diet?

Student 4
Student 4

Because no single food can provide all the nutrients they need!

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Variety is key. In summary, children need a blend of carbs, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals for optimal health.

Planning Balanced Meals

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Let’s delve into planning balanced meals. What do you think should be included in a breakfast for school-age children?

Student 1
Student 1

Maybe cereal with milk and a fruit?

Teacher
Teacher

Excellent choice! A balanced breakfast is crucial because it kickstarts their metabolism for the day. We should aim for a mix that includes protein, like eggs or yogurt. What other meals should follow?

Student 2
Student 2

For lunch, they could have a vegetable pulao and some salad.

Teacher
Teacher

That sounds nutritious! Lunch should also maintain balance. Children should consume around 240 grams of cereals a day. Can anyone tell me why it’s important to involve children in meal planning?

Student 3
Student 3

If they’re involved, they might be more likely to try new foods!

Teacher
Teacher

Great insight! Involving them fosters a sense of ownership in their meals. Let’s ensure we include whole grains, fruits, and various proteins across their meals. Remember, balance is the secret ingredient!

Influences on Dietary Habits

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Now, let's discuss the factors influencing school-age children's food choices. How does family environment impact their eating habits?

Student 4
Student 4

If the family eats healthy, the children are more likely to eat healthy too.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Positive family dynamics encourage good habits. But what about the role of media?

Student 1
Student 1

Advertisements can make unhealthy foods look appealing.

Teacher
Teacher

Yes, exactly! This often leads them to choose sugary snacks and drinks. Peer influence also plays a significant role; can anyone explain how?

Student 2
Student 2

When friends eat certain things, kids want to try them too!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Encouraging friends to eat healthy together can help combat negative influences. In summary, a supportive environment impacts their food preferences and habits.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section discusses the nutritional requirements, dietary practices, and health issues for school-age children, highlighting the importance of balanced nutrition during this critical developmental phase.

Standard

School-age children face distinct nutritional needs that are crucial for their overall health and development. With active lifestyles and a gradual growth pattern, dietary requirements shift, especially from age 9 onward. Factors influencing their food choices include family habits, media, and peers, while common health issues like obesity and under-nutrition persist, highlighting the complexities of children’s nutrition during this stage.

Detailed

Health, Nutrition and Well-being of School-Age Children (7-12 Years)

School-age children undergo a period of gradual growth, characterized by increased activity and changing nutritional requirements. This section emphasizes the essential nutrients needed by school-age children, particularly the importance of energy, protein, calcium, and iron, which support physical and cognitive development. Notably, dietary requirements differ between boys and girls after the age of nine, with girls needing more calcium and protein, and boys needing higher calories to prepare for puberty.

Nutritional guidelines recommend that children consume a variety of foods to meet their dietary needs adequately, with an emphasis on limiting saturated fats, sugars, and salt to mitigate long-term health risks like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

Family environments, media influence, and peer dynamics play significant roles in shaping children's dietary habits. The Mid-day Meal Scheme in India has proven effective in addressing malnutrition among children, showcasing how structured nutritional initiatives can improve educational outcomes and health. This exploration is critical in understanding the balance between under-nutrition and over-nutrition, aiming to cultivate lifelong healthy eating habits in children.

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Audio Book

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Growth Patterns in School-Age Children

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School age children too are extremely active physically. With the incidence of communicable diseases out of the way, the child is now quite strong. You may notice that the growth pattern is rather slow now. Instead, body changes occur gradually, especially from 9 to 10 years onwards, when boys and girls show different growth patterns.

Detailed Explanation

School-age children are typically more physically active and robust due to the decrease in common communicable diseases. During this time, their growth is not as rapid as in previous years. Instead, they undergo gradual body changes, particularly noticeable around the ages of 9 to 10. It's important to recognize that boys and girls might experience different growth patterns during this stage.

Examples & Analogies

Think of school-age children like plants in a garden. While some plants grow rapidly at first, once they reach a certain size, their growth slows down. Instead, they start to change in shape and strength, becoming more resilient to weather, just as children become stronger and develop their unique growth characteristics.

Nutritional Requirements for School Children

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Though it is a latent period of growth there are several activities to pack in the child’s day now. Retaining her/his energy is therefore very crucial. Nutritional requirements are the same for both boys and girls up to the age of 9 years after which there is a change in some of the nutrient requirement for boys and girls. You may recall that the energy requirements for girls remain almost the same throughout but they need increased amounts of protein, iron, and calcium to help bone growth and preparation for menarche. Boys of 10-12 years need enough calories to maintain adequate reserves for the spurt in their growth during adolescence.

Detailed Explanation

During school years, maintaining energy levels is vital due to the various activities children engage in. Up until age nine, boys and girls have similar nutritional requirements. However, after this age, girls require more protein, iron, and calcium to support their bone development and prepare for menstruation. In contrast, boys need more calories to support the growth spurts that typically occur during their early teenage years.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a car that needs fuel to run. Just like a car requires a certain amount of fuel for regular driving, school-age children need enough nutrients to keep them energized and healthy for learning and play. Girls are like a car requiring specific high-octane fuel for a long journey ahead, while boys require extra fuel to power up when they suddenly speed up in adolescent growth.

Planning Balanced Diets

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Following all aspects and guidelines of diet planning for preschool children, it may appear that by school age the children establish a particular pattern of food intake. To an extent you are right but planning balanced meals for school children may differ in other aspects. Let us discuss these briefly.

Detailed Explanation

As children grow older, they tend to develop consistent eating patterns, but their dietary planning must still be adapted to meet their changing nutritional needs. Balanced meals should include a variety of foods to ensure that children receive all the necessary vitamins and minerals. It's essential to focus on diversity in their diet to help them accept new foods and meet their energy needs.

Examples & Analogies

Think of diet planning like creating a playlist for a party. If you only play one type of music, guests might get bored. Just like a good playlist, a balanced meal should include various 'tracks' or foods, to keep everyone satisfied and excited about what’s on their plate.

Importance of Breakfast

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Breakfast is a special meal. It should contain more of protein and energy. After the long night’s fasting the child should never be allowed to skip breakfast. Skipping breakfast will negatively affect her/his physical and mental performance, and the loss of calories and nutrients cannot be made up later in the day.

Detailed Explanation

Breakfast serves as a crucial start to the day, providing the necessary energy and nutrients after fasting overnight. Children who skip breakfast may find it hard to concentrate at school, affecting their learning and overall performance. It’s important to make breakfast nutritious, emphasizing protein and energy sources.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine your brain is like a phone that needs charging overnight. If you start the day with a low charge by skipping breakfast, your phone might not work well through the day. Just like a fully charged phone performs better, a child who eats a healthy breakfast will be more alert and ready to learn.

Involving Children in Meal Planning

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As children grow older they can be involved in planning their meals. It will make healthy eating interesting for them. Amrita has an 8-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter. She talks to them about making choices and planning balanced meals. She even takes them along to buy ingredients, at the same time, she teaches them what to check while buying raw food material.

Detailed Explanation

Engaging children in meal planning allows them to take an active role in their nutrition. This involvement can help them learn about healthy food choices and develop a positive attitude toward eating. By participating in the selection and preparation of their meals, children are more likely to try new foods and enjoy their meals.

Examples & Analogies

Involving children in meal planning can be likened to giving them the steering wheel in a car. Just as learning to drive requires understanding and decision-making, helping children learn about food empowers them to make healthy choices, making the journey of eating nutritious meals much more enjoyable.

Health and Nutrition Issues

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With the concerted efforts of parents in following immunisation schedules and healthy nutrition patterns, the child by this time is strong enough to fight occasional colds and cough. You may know that obesity is a growing health risk among children now. This is largely due to a diet rich in fatty foods high in salt, low in fiber and beverages with added sugar. Non-active lifestyles further complement the situation. The problem is more among children from higher socio-economic sections of our society.

Detailed Explanation

As children reach school age, their overall health can improve with proper nutrition and immunizations. However, there is a rising concern regarding obesity, mainly driven by unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity. Children from wealthier backgrounds, who may have greater access to processed and unhealthy foods, are often at higher risk.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a balloon that keeps getting filled with air. If it keeps expanding without control, it might burst. Similarly, children who consume excessive unhealthy foods without burning enough calories through activity can gain too much weight, leading to health problems.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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Key Concepts

  • Nutritional Needs: Understanding energy, protein, calcium, and iron requirements for school-age children.

  • Balanced Meals: Importance of variety and balance in children's diets.

  • Influences on Diet: The role of family, media, and peers in shaping children's eating habits.

  • Health Risks: The dual challenge of under-nutrition and obesity in school-age children.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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Examples

  • Children aged 7-9 require about 1,690 calories daily, which should include proteins from meat or legumes, calcium from dairy, and sugars in moderation.

  • A sample meal plan includes milk and cornflakes for breakfast, vegetable pulao with salad for lunch, and grilled sandwiches with fruit for snacks.

Memory Aids

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🎵 Rhymes Time

  • For strong bones and energy bright, Calcium, Protein, keep them in sight!

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once there was a school boy, Sam, who skipped breakfast and felt tired during classes. After learning the importance of meals, he never missed breakfast again and scored higher in tests!

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • P.E.C. for school-age children’s nutritional needs: Protein, Energy, Calcium.

🎯 Super Acronyms

B.V.V.E. for balanced diets

  • Breakfast
  • Varieties
  • Vegetables
  • Energy.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

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  • Term: Malnutrition

    Definition:

    Refers to both undernutrition and overnutrition, leading to health issues.

  • Term: Obesity

    Definition:

    Excess fat deposition in the body leading to a weight above normal levels.

  • Term: Hypertension

    Definition:

    High blood pressure, often related to poor diet and lifestyle.

  • Term: Nutrition

    Definition:

    The process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth.