This document outlines the daily dietary requirements for key nutrients including calories, protein, fat, calcium, iron, vitamin A, and fiber for children of different age groups from infancy through adolescence. It notes the importance of these nutrients for growth, development, and bodily functions. Zinc, calcium, iron, vitamin A, folate, fiber, and vitamin C are highlighted for their roles in areas such as the immune and nervous systems, bone and tooth formation, oxygen transport, vision, cell division, digestion, and tissue repair. References are provided.

1. DAILYDIETARY
REQUIREMENTS FOR
CHILDREN
Sasha Bondi
BSc NS 4.1
UZ CHS

3. nutrrient 0-6
month
s
6-
12m
onth
s
1-
3years
4-
6years
7-
10years
11-14
years(m
ale)
11-14
years
(female)
15-18
years(
male)
15-18years (female)
Caloric
needs
108
kCal/k
g
1300-
1700
kcal/da
y
1300-
1700kC
al/day
1800-
2000kC
al/day
1800-
2500kC
al/day
1800-
2400kCal/
day
2200-
2800k
Cal/da
y
1800-2400kCal/day
protein 2.2g/k
g
16g/da
y
24g/day 28g/da
y
45g/da
y
40g/day 70-
78g/d
ay
63-65g/day
Fat 31g/d
ay
30g/
day
30-35%
of
calorie
intake
25-35%
of
calorie
intake
23-35%
of
calorie
intake
25-
35%of
calorie
intake
25-35% of
calorie
intake
25-
35% of
calorie
intake
25-35%of calorie
intake
Calcium 500m
g/day
500
mg/
day
700mg
/day
1000mg 1000m
g
1300m
g/day
1300mg/d
ay
1300
mg/da
y
1300mg/day
iron 0.2mg
/day
1mg
/day
12mg/
day
18mg/d
ay
26mg/
day
34-
41mg/
day
19-
28mg/day
41-
50mg/
day
28-35mg/day
fibre N/A N/A 12.6g-
14
g/day
16.8g/d
ay
22.4g/
day
22.4g/
day
22.4g/day 25.2g/
day
25.2g/day
Vit A 400mc
g/day
500
mcg
400mc
g/day
400mcg
/day
500mc
g/day
600mc
g/day
600mcg/d
ay
700mc
g/day
700mcg/day

4. IMPORTANCE OF
THE NUTRIENTS
Zinc is also important for the diet. It is found in cells throughout the
body. It is needed for the body’s defensive system to properly work.
It plays a role in cell division, cell growth, wound healing and
breakdown of carbohydrates. Zinc is also needed for the senses of
smell and taste.
Calciium is needed to maintain strong bones and to carry out many
important functions. Almost all calcium is stored in bones and teeth,
where it supports their structure and hardness. The body also needs
calcium for muscle movement and for nerve conduction.
Iron is a mineral vital to proper function of haemoglobin function,
oxygen transportation. It is also needed for storage of oxygen in the
muscles as a component of myoglobin.

5. CONT….
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin. Its good for vision, the skin,
bones and most importantly in infants, brain development. It also
works as an antioxidant, fighting cell damage by free radicals
amongst other uses in the body.
Folate is a B-vitamin, which is need for DNA synthesis as well as
during cell division. Folate can be added in fortified foods.
Fibre or better known as dietary fibre is important for the digestive
health and regular bowel movements. Fibre also helps to make the
child feel fuller for longer reducing over eating. It helps control
cholesterol and blood sugar levels and can assist in preventing some
diseases such aas diabetes, heart disease and bowel cancer

6. CONT……
Vitamin C is needed for growth and repair of tissues in all parts of
the body. It is used to form: important protein used for skin, tendon,
ligament and blood vessels.

8. REFERENCES
1. Klawitter BM. Nutrition Assessment of Infants and Children. In:
Nevin-Folino N, editor. Pediatric Manual of Clinical Dietetics, 2nd
ed. Chicago, IL: American Dietetic Association, 2003:145-161.
2. Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference
Intakes. Applications in Dietary Assessment. Washington, D.C.:
National Academy Press, 2000.