Question

5. In this video, Oliver gives a visual demonstration about the extreme amount of sugar in chocolate milk. He also makes a very bold statement in saying, "Any judge in the whole world would look at the statics and the evidence and would find any government of old guilty of child abuse." Using the education you have received from this class regarding nutrition and the concept of child abuse, do you agree and What can you do to take a stand towards providing our children with proper food and nutrition?

Answer 1

Ans=

Child neglect and obesity are major public health problems that undermine children’s health and contribute to lifelong disparities. Most of the past research has focused on relations between child neglect and failure to thrive. This article finds that evidence linking child neglect with obesity is mixed. In a recent meta-analysis, five of the eight studies reviewed did not find an increased risk of obesity among neglected children. The case study and three longitudinal studies that reported a relationship between neglect and obesity were conducted among young children, and used caregiver or teacher/clinician definitions of neglect, rather than referrals to state protective service agencies. Dysregulation of the neuroendocrine system associated with neglect has been implicated, but further research is needed to understand the mechanisms that may increase children’s risk for obesity. Findings suggest that under some conditions neglect may increase the risk for excessive weight gain, and that high body mass index may be an indicator of possible neglect. By exploring both possibilities, clinicians can promote children’s healthy growth and development and prevent subsequent health disparities.

Child neglect and pediatric obesity are major public health problems affecting millions of children in the US. The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System reported that in 2011, 75% of the 3.4 million child abuse and neglect referrals, representing 6.2 million children, were classified as neglect, with the majority under 3 years of age. Rates of pediatric overweight (body mass index [BMI] >85th percentile) have increased significantly over the past three decades, reaching 23% among preschoolers (ages 2–5), 34% among elementary school-age children (ages 6–11), and 34% among adolescents (ages 12–19). Past research on child neglect and failure-to-thrive has identified common aspects of social and environmental dysfunction,with increasing evidence that similar psychosocial problems can manifest in obesity.

Second part of question =

the United States, nearly one in every five children has obesity. Considering this percentage has tripled since the 1970’s, the importance of nutrition for children is at an all-time high. Although there is a wealth of information at our fingertips, it can be difficult to sort through and decipher what a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle would look like for your unique child. In order to implement a sustainable and healthy lifestyle for your child, it is important to understand what good nutrition consists of, how it can affect childhood development, and the steps you can take to ensure your child is onboard.

Good Nutrition for Children=

Nutrition for children is based on the same core principles as nutrition for adults. The key is a healthy and appropriate balance of diet and exercise, as well as, a conducive lifestyle. The five main food groups include grains, dairy, protein, vegetables, and fruit, and are generally a good starting point for any diet. The portions of each respective food group will depend heavily on age, genetic makeup, and physical activity. It is important to understand each food group to develop a well-balanced and nutritious diet for your child.

Grains

Grains can be split into two categories: whole and refined grains. Whole grains are more nutritious because they involve products using the entire grain kernel. Whole grain products include oatmeal, whole-wheat flour, and brown rice. Refined grains have been milled and processed, generally, many times to improve shelf life and texture. In the process of refining grains, many valuable nutritional benefits are lost and, therefore, whole grains tend to be a better option. Some examples of refined grains include cereal, tortillas, white bread, and white rice.

Vegetables

Any vegetable or 100% vegetable juice belongs to the vegetable group. Vegetables can be raw, cooked, dehydrated, canned, whole, juiced, or mashed and are separated into 5 subcategories including dark-green vegetables, starchy vegetables, red and orange vegetables, beans and peas, and other vegetables. The portion size of each will depend on which subcategory it belongs to considering that some vegetables are more dense and nutrient packed than others. Vegetables can be also categorized into further subcategories including organic, non-organic, and non-gmo.

Fruit

Any fruit or 100% fruit juice belongs to the fruit category. Fruit can be canned, frozen, dried, pureed, or juiced. Due to the high sugar content of fruit, it is advisable to construct a dietary balance based on age, activity levels, time of day, and gender. Much like vegetables, fruit can be further categorized into organic, non-organic, and non-gmo.

Protein & Dairy

The protein food group is made up of foods that are primarily protein sources such as meat, poultry, beans, peas, eggs, seafood, and nuts. It is advisable that meat and poultry sources be lean and low fat. All fluid milk products and products made primarily from milk belong to the dairy food group. This includes items such a milk, yogurt, and cheese. In recent years, dairy has been a controversial member of the food group and as such, many nutritionally comparable dairy alternatives have been provided with greater nutritional value. As such, this group also contains fortified dairy-alternative products such as soy, almond, and cashew milk and nut cheeses.

Based on the age and unique genetic makeup of your child, their diet and lifestyle may look different and have emphasis on certain nutritional guidelines during one age range and much different guidelines during another.

Good Nutrition for Toddlers

Toddlers, ages 1-3, can be a particularly challenging age range when it comes to feeding a nutritional diet. During this time frame, many developmental changes take place that directly affect their intake of food or supplements. Toddlers are in a phase where growth and development slow down substantially, affecting hunger and diet. In addition to decreased appetite, toddlers are at an age where they are exploring independence and control. This can result in battles over specific foods, meal times, and quantities.

Depending on their specific age, activity levels, and gender, it is suggested that toddlers have around 3-5 ounces of grains per day. One ounce roughly translates to 1 piece of bread, ½ cup of rice or oatmeal, or one small (4 inch) pancake. In terms of vegetables, toddlers should be having between 1-2 cups of vegetables per day from each of the 5 subcategories. Considering some toddlers are just starting to adopt table foods, it is advisable to offer soft and cooked vegetables cut into very small pieces. This not only helps toddlers chew and swallow vegetables but also reduces any choking hazards. Toddlers should also be consuming 1 cup of fruit per day. This could breakdown into ½ of a banana for breakfast, ½ of an apple for a snack, 8 sliced grapes, ½ cup cooked broccoli, and ½ cup peas and carrots. It is important to introduce variety within the five food groups to gain the full spectrum of nutritional benefits. In general, most toddlers should be having around 13 grams of protein per day.

A general rule of thumb that can be helpful when determining how much protein your child should be having per day is to base it on their weight. Protein recommended dietary allowances, or RDA’s, are determined using the guide of .5 grams of protein per pound of body weight. Therefore, a 2-year-old who weighs 30 pounds would need around 15 grams of protein per day. This could translate to ½ an egg, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter or ¼ cup of beans. Calcium fortified juices, milks, and cheeses should be consumed by toddlers in much smaller amounts such as 1 cup of milk or 2 ounces of cheese per day.

Good Nutrition for Preschoolers

The preschool years, ages 3-5, are an influential time for developing healthy habits for kids that can last a lifetime. Preschoolers tend to grow in spurts and as such, their appetites can be intermittent. This is normal and if parents offer a healthy selection, their children will be set up with viable options. The specific breakdown of grains, protein, vegetables, fruits, and dairy are like toddlers and vary based on size, age and gender. The one key component that is important for young developing preschool children is calcium intake. Calcium is needed to develop strong, healthy, bones and teeth.

Contrary to popular belief, Calcium is not best obtained through traditional dairy milk. This is because the calcium provided in dairy milk is less bioavailable to developing bodies. It is best to obtain calcium through dark leafy greens like kale, broccoli, and bok choy. About ½ cup of cooked leafy greens can translate to around 300 mg calcium with a 40% absorption rate. Another important supplement to focus on is fiber. Fiber aides in digestion and prevents constipation through encouragement of bowel movements. Fiber is found in most whole grain products as well as fruits and vegetables. Though it may be challenging at times to convince your child to consume vegetables over starchy processed foods such as macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets, it will make a world of difference.

Ensure your Child is Eating right and Staying Fit

Having the tools to guide your child as they develop well-balanced and healthy nutritional lives is one thing and application is another. It can be challenging to ensure your child is eating right and staying fit without support, guidance, education, and routine. As young children develop, they start to form opinions on what tastes good to them and what does not. Most times, this does not align with what is necessarily best for them on a nutritional level. This is where the challenge resides.

The Stanford Children’s Health Hospital suggests avoiding battles over food and meals and to provide regular snacks and meals. Children can be picky and, at times, avoidant or inflexible. If your toddler or preschooler refuses certain foods, it is best to let it go and try again at another time. Chances are, they will start to warm up to the options provided. As previously mentioned, young children are developing their independence and opinions and, as such, they are subject to vary. It can also be helpful to set aside a routine time and place to feed your child. If you provide regular eating habits and personal interaction during meal times, it can lead to positive association.

Considering that children are highly observational creatures, it is advantageous to create experiences that are positive and healthy. Involving children in the preparation and selection of foods can also be an important learning tool. When in the grocery store or even in your refrigerator at home, it can be helpful to enlist your child to help select foods based on their nutritional value and explain how they can help developing bodies. Parents are also encouraged to utilize specific serving sizes and to show their children the respective equivalents. This can help children as they grow older to understand and implement appropriate serving sizes and maintain well-balanced eating habits.

Additionally, it can be helpful for parents to pack a homemade lunch for their children to take to school. This insures that a well-balanced and proper nutritional meal is easily obtainable and always provided. As always, physical activity is as important as nutrition. It is recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity most days of the week. A helpful tactic for parents can be to limit use of television and video games, for more physically active routines such as a walking, running, and playing ball. It is important for parents to actively participate in their children’s lives surrounding nutrition and exercise because children primarily learn through direct observation. In leading by example, you are showing your child a positive, healthy, and sustainable lifestyle.

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