This document discusses the importance of pediatric nutrition at different age groups from infancy to adolescence. It outlines nutritional guidelines for each group, emphasizing the critical role of proper nutrition in growth and development. For infants, exclusive breastfeeding for six months and gradual introduction of complementary foods is recommended. For toddlers and preschoolers, a variety of nutritious foods from all food groups should be provided. School-aged children need a balanced diet and physical activity. Adolescents have increased nutritional needs to support development and should make healthy choices. Maintaining good oral health is also covered.

1. THE BASE OF
NUTRITIONAL STATUS:
PEDIATRIC NUTRITION
BY:
MRS MITALI BHINDE

2. When it comes to choosing a colour for
the child: IT’S ALWAYS A BLUE FOR
BOYS & PINK FOR GIRLS.
 Butwhen it comes to Nutrition for a Child,
these differences fade away.
 There is no other time in life when the
provision of appropriate nutrition is of greater
importance than during infancy and childhood.
 Thus understanding the importance of
Pediatric Nutrition and implementing correct
nutritional guidelines at the right age becomes
very essential.

3. UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF
APPROPRIATE NUTRITION DURING
DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS
(A.) Infants – Birth (Neonate) till 12
months of age
 The first year of life is a period of rapid growth
and development.
 Adequate Nutrition is essential for lifelong
health and well being.
 It is also essential to achieve optimal
growth, development and health.
 Thus it is essential to identify and
correct any nutritional problems to avoid it to
carry in next year of life.

4. NUTRITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR INFANTS
 Infants should be exclusively breast fed for the first
six months (wherever possible).
 Breast milk is a sufficient source of calories for the
first six months for the infant.
 Also provides right amount of other nutrients which
are easily digestible.
 Contains various antibodies which help to build the
infant’s immune system.
 Solid food (Commentary foods ) has to be gradually
introduced after 6 months along with breast feeding.
 Single grain cereals (mashed and in porridge form,
malted form), pureed vegetables and fruits, dal water
are advisable.

5.  Adding sugar, jaggery, oil or ghee will increase the
calorific value of food.
 Once the child starts eating well, food items like
khichadi, upma, daliya, kheer, idli, curd, milk can be
introduced.
 Never overfeed or force the child to eat.
 Careful hygienic practices and storage of
Complementary food is very essential to prevent
contamination and infection.

6. (B.) Toddlers and preschoolers (1-6 years )
 Several developmental changes in brain, body and
organ occur at this time.
 Best time for Visual development.
 Vitamins and minerals are very important
for bone health, brain development and to
strengthen the immune system.
NUTRITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR TODDLERS
 Introduce new foods at regular intervals to
increase acceptance of new food.
 Provide a variety of food using the Food Guide
Pyramid for children.

7.  Provide them with small frequent meals rather
than three large meals.
 Provide adequate green leafy vegetable, other
vegetables and fruits for goods sources of vitamins,
minerals (specially Iron) and fibre.
 Provide enough dairy sources for calcium intake.
 Provide food in a colourful and appealing way.
 Encourage the child to play actively each day.
 Don't force to eat or bribe
the child with sweets or treats.
 Limit television watching
to 1 to 2 hours a day

8. (C.) School going children (6-12 years )
 It is a growth spurt time where nutritional needs are
high but fairly small appetite.
 Important for good development for cognitive
skills,bone mineralization and life long eating
patterns.
 According to the “National Nutrition Monitoring
Bureau of India”, over 50% of apparently healthy
looking children have sub-clinical or biochemical
deficiencies of vitamin A, vitamins B2, B6, folate and
vitamin C.
 Food choices largely depends
a lot on family food choices,
peer groups, media.
 Base for good health and
Weight control.

9. NUTRITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL
GOING CHILDREN
 Provide variety in meals. Avoid Monotony.
 Encourage healthier options for snacks rather than
fried and unhealthy snacks like crisps, fries etc.
 School meals and packed lunches are very important
part of
daily nutritional intake.
 Balance food with physical activity.
 Set good examples for healthy eating habit.
 Provide plenty of grains, fruits and vegetable, low fat
dairy products.
 Moderate sugars and salt.
 Involve the child in making food choices.

10.  Encourage the child to eat with family at the
dining table.
 Never skip breakfast.
 Don't serve food in front of TV
 Avoid foods rich in saturated fats and
cholesterol.

11. (D.) Adolescents (12 to 18 years)
 WHO states: It is a time of intense physical,
psychosocial, and cognitive development.
 Increased nutritional needs at this juncture relate to
the fact that adolescents gain up to 50% of their
adult weight, more than 20% of their adult height,
and 50% of their adult skeletal mass during this
period.
 Thus it is important to take care and fuel it with
nutritious food so that it may develop to its
potential.
 Important for prevention of health problems such
as obesity, dental caries, iron deficiency,
and osteoporosis.
 Peers influence easily so harder to
make healthy choices.

12. NUTRITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR
ADOLESCENTS
 Consume balanced and small frequent meals with lot
of variety in them.
 Teach adequate portion sizes of foods from all food
groups.
 Choosing the diet with plenty of grains, vegetables,
pulses, dairy products.
 Choosing the diet low in salt, sugar, fat (saturated
fats).
 Provide with readily available healthy food choices
even while eating outside food.
 Involve the adolescent in making good choices as
well as preparations oh healthy food.

13.  Don't forget to discuss diet concerns
(FAD diets etc) and implications of diet restrictions.
 Drink less of sugar-sweetened beverages (e.g., soft
drinks, sport drinks, fruit drinks, etc.)

14. CHILDREN’S ORAL HEALTH
"Oral health is an important part of overall
health, and good oral health starts with baby
teeth. If your baby's mouth isn't healthy, then
your baby is not going to be healthy."
Dr. Russell Maier
Family physician, University of Washington
 Guide your child a proper brushing
technique right from the early age.
 Provide healthy foods and limit sweet
snacks and drinks.
 Schedule regular dental check ups.

15. Paediatric Nutritionist Ellyn Setter said:
“ The secret to feeding a healthy family is to
love good food, trust yourself, and share that
love and trust with your child. When the joy
goes out of eating, nutrition suffers .”

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