Child Nutrition

The time from birth to adulthood is one of growth, development, maturation and activity. Certain nutrients are essential for development at different times, for example omega-3 fatty acid and proteins are crucial for brain development in infants and toddlers. If the child is deficient in the nutrients they need, their development will be impacted.  

Nutritional habits, once formed, can be hard to break. A child who develops a sweet tooth and dislike for vegetables will find it much harder to maintain a healthy diet through their later life than a child raised with a balanced diet of fresh fruit, vegetables, grains, meat and dairy. So it is important to ensure good habits are established early.

The role of parents and caregivers can not be understated in children’s nutrition. Children learn from observation and when very young have no choice but to eat what is provided to them. As a parent or caregiver you need to be aware of what you are teaching your children about nutrition.

This course has a holistic approach, focusing not just on what to feed children, but also eating patterns and nutritional requirements from pre-pregnancy through to teens.

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction to Child Nutrition
   • Scope, Nature and History of Nutrition
   • Affect of Culture and Family Background on Nutrition
   • Importance of Nutrition in Early Childhood
   • Basic Nutrients needed in a Childs Diet
   • Key things to Remember about a Childs Diet
   • Nutrition Tips for Children
2. Nutrition for Pre-Pregnancy
   • Pre Conception Diet -Maternal Weight, Maternal Nutrient Status
   • Paternal Health and Nutrition
   • Affect of Nutrition of Parents at Conception
   • Making Diet Changes Pre Conception
3. Nutrition in Pregnancy
   • Early Pregnancy and Morning Sickness
   • Tips to Help with Pregnancy Nausea
   • Nutrition through Pregnancy -RDI
   • Caloric and Fluid Intake through Pregnancy
   • Calorie Demands for a Pregnant Woman
   • Foods to Avoid Whil;e Pregnant
   • Hypervitaminosis
   • Pregnancy Complications that Relate to Nutrition (Neural Tube Defect, Morning Sickness, Constipation, Gastrointestinal diabetes, Hypertension, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
4. Nutrition in Infants
   • Breastfeeding
   • Formula Feeding
   • Feeding for the first six months
   • Starting on Solid Foods
   • Adequate Vitamin C and Iron Intake in first year
   • Progressing with Solid Foods: protein, dairy, finger foods, etc
   • Nutrition for Toddlers
   • Snack Packs, Small Meals, Meal Alternatives, Being creative, etc
   • Allergens
   • Weaning
5. Nutrition in Childhood
   • Caloric Intake
   • Mineral Intake
   • Vitamin Intake
   • Encouraging Good Eating Habits
   • Breakfast
   • Morning and Afternoon Snacks
   • Packed Lunches
   • Eating Habits
   • Puberty
6. Nutritional Concerns
   • Scope and Nature of Nutritional Health for Children
   • Healthy Snacks and Rehydration
   • Underwight
   • Malnutrition
   • Anaemia or Iron Deficiencey
   • Dental Care
   • Eating Disorders : Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating
   • Fast Food and Junk Food
7. Healthy Eating Behaviours
   • Influencing Childrens Eating
   • Teaching Healthy Eating to Children
   • Health Snack Ideas
   • Childhood Food Sensitivities
   • Food Intollerance
   • Food Allergies
   • Relevent Research
   • Food and Autism
   • Food and Child Behaviour Problems
   • Diagnosing Sensitivities : skin test, blood test, diet
8. Issues in Child Nutrition
   • PBL Project: Develop a presentation to be given to a group of families, where a child has been recently diagnosed with an illness/disease of your choice. The purpose of the presentation is to inform families and sufferers about the disease, and to provide clear, simple guidelines for dietary intervention to improve health, correct the condition or prevent deterioration in health.
9. Childhood Obesity
   • Cause of Childhood Obesity
   • What is Unhealthy about Childhood Obesity?
   • Guidelines for Child Weight Loss
10. Diet Plans
    • Special Nutritional Needs
    • Childhood Diabetes
    • Vegetarian and Vegan Diets
    • Normal Eating Habits for Children

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims:

• Discuss the nature and scope of developing nutrition for children according to their backgrounds and needs.
• Explain the various nutritional needs of the mother and father before pregnancy.
• Explain the various nutritional needs of the mother and child during pregnancy.
• Explain various nutritional needs of infants from birth to age two.
• Explain various nutritional aspects of growing children addressing various issues and concerns.
• Identify concerns in the diets of children and adolescents and overcoming them.
• Lists ways to encourage healthy eating behaviour in children.
• Explain some of the common issues such as food sensitivities in childhood nutrition.
• Explain causes and guidelines to overcoming childhood obesity.
• Develop a list diet outlines for healthy children and special diet plans for children with special nutritional needs.