Research Paper on Growth & Development: How Childhood Nutrition Shapes Life as an Adult

Introduction

Many changes occur in the body of a human being between birth and the age of eighteen. There is a lot of growth and development that occurs. These changes require the right amount and balance in the nutrient intake. This paper discusses how the development during the childhood period greatly influences the life of the individual as an adult. Nutritional intake habits learned during childhood may last the lifetime of the individual, and this will dictate the quality of life of the person.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Starting Right

The process of proper nutrition has to have a good start for it to work right over the years. Good nutrition is not only vital for growth and development, but it can also help in preventing or delaying the onset of chronic diseases later on in life. To start with, the caregivers responsible for a child need to show by example, the need and ways of taking in a balanced nutritious diet. The caregivers decide what, when, and how the food is given to the babies. They, therefore, need to have the meals planned and make appropriate food choices according to the child's developmental needs.

Of all the meals planned, breakfast is the most important one. Breakfast determines the total dietary intake for the day, and it should account for up to a third of the required daily nutritional needs. A child who is not able to have breakfast at home in the morning should have a snack to take to school or enroll on the school breakfast program, doing so will ensure that the child's nutritional needs are met and their activity and attention in school are kept high.

Physical activity is another factor that should be included in proper nutrition. Intake of highly nutritious food with very minimal activity can lead to obesity and the development of chronic diseases. The incorporation of physical activity should not be done as punishment; instead, the activities should be portrayed in a positive light to encourage the young ones to participate.

Case study of Bobby, who is eight years old, his diet is not balanced as per the nutrient intake leading him to have iron deficiency anemia. His Body mass index is also high since he does not do many activities. The recommendation is to have him incorporate leafy vegetables and grains to increase the iron and vitamin levels in his body. The milk intake should also be limited to low-fat milk to reduce the amount of saturated fats consumed. Lastly, as an eight-year-old, he should take part in outdoor playing activities like cycling and swimming to help him lower his body weight.

Nourishing an Infant

The first year in a child's life is coupled with a lot of growth and developments, several milestones the baby is expected to achieve. The nutritional needs of the child need to be met to ensure the process of growth runs smoothly. The baby, for a better part of the year, can get the nutrients from breast milk. As the child grows, their gastrointestinal system matures more, and they can be fed with semisolid and solid food. This weaning process forms a foundation for their eating habits in the future. The process of weaning should, therefore, be made pleasurable for the child, the environment should be friendly and the experience should not

Be Associated With Threats

It is important to watch out for food allergies. Since the baby's system is not fully matured, some undigested proteins can lead to allergies. Introducing one type of food at a time can help determine which ones the child is allergic to.

Nourishing Toddlers and Young Children

As they develop further past their first year, the children being to develop their taste and preferences. Along with these, there are increased nutritional needs that should be met as per the developmental requirements and the activity of the child. Their diets need to be high on proteins, energy, and water. The Carbohydrate needs of young children are equivalent to that of adults and should mainly be sourced from grains, fruits, and vegetables. Fats, on the other hand, should be reduced to a level just enough to provide the energy needed without putting the child at risk of any diseases.

Micronutrients like vitamins A, E, C, Zinc, Calcium, and iron should also be factored into the diet. If there is a need for supplements, these need to be closely monitored by a caregiver and kept out of the child's reach.

With the changes, there also come problems. Dental Carries, Hyperactivity, and Eating disorders may start to develop at this stage. These need to be recognized early enough and dealt with.

At this age, too, there are more meals eaten away from home, and packed meals should be prepared to meet the nutritional needs and should be safe, fasts food also need to be limited as well. The dietary requirements for children this age do not differ for boys and girls up to around the age of nine, where sexual maturity calls for a change in their dietary needs.

Adolescence Transition to Adulthood

From the age of nine, sexual maturity begins in both boys and girls. At this point, the dietary requirements for the boys and girls change. The growth rates for the children is at its highest point, and this is their final stage before adulthood. There are hormonal changes that occur, and the diets should be tailored towards this. Energy giving foods are required more by the boys more than girls. The protein needs finally reach the recommended rate for adults, but the boys generally need more. Micronutrients should also be taken at the recommended rate to carter to the needs of the body during the growth spurts in adolescence.

Other factors influence the diets of adolescents, though. At this point, they are going through the process of self-identity; this may affect what they choose to eat. Other external factors, such as peer pressure, career paths, trends, and social activities, influence the way the adolescent may choose to eat.