Life cannot be sustained without adequate food. We need food for its growth and development and remain active in the society. Among us, children are more vulnerable towards the disease due to nutritional deficiencies. In our society, some parents are unaware about the diet system of children. Due to low social economic condition, they are also not able to give proper diet to the children. Children need adequate nutrients for their continuous growth. They grow more rapidly. Weight of an infant is doubled in fifth month and triple in one year age. During second year, child not only increases in weight but also in height.
After birth breastfeeding must be given to the baby after one hour of delivery. Breast milk is natural food and more easily digested. Colostrum which is secreted from the mother within four days of delivery contain great amounts of vitamins, proteins, minerals, and antibodies. It has laxative action also. Breastfeeding is the best for newborns and growing infants up to 6 months, breastfeeding is sufficient for babies. There is no need to give extra water to the child. Mother can continue breastfeeding to the child for a prolonged period but after six months child required extra complimentary food along with the breastfeeding. In rural areas children are solely breastfed beyond the age of one year as they belive that breast milk is adequate for the child. As a result, child suffers from undernutrition.
Children below five years, for their growth, we should not give more carbohydrate diet like rice, rice products, wheat products and potato, etc. Diet rich in energy and protein such as legumes, pulses, nuts, edible oil or ghee, sugar, milk, egg, green leafy vegetables these are more helpful for children, as it contains iron, vitamin C, vitamin D, and folic acid, etc. These food items may be given in the form of semisolid like Kheer and rice Dal, vegetables (khichadi) and ragi preparation for a child for above one year. In case breast feeding fails, animal (cows) milk or commercial infant formula maybe given . Cow ’s milk should be boiled before giving to babies. Firstly, cow’s milk is diluted with equal amount of water, there after water portion is reduced gradually. We can also add little quantities of sugar in the milk. Commercial infant formula may be given to babies as per instructions given on it. Over feeding is avoided.
During the second-year, child increases not only in weight but also in height. In pre-adolescent, the child grows on an average of 6 to 7 cm in height and 1.5 to 3kg in weight every year. Adolescent growth starts in 10-12yrs in female child and two years later in boys. Annual child increases height 9-10 cm and 8-10 kg in weight. In this period, children need more calcium for their growth of bones. The recommended dose is 600-800mg per day. It is necessary to give higher quantities of calcium in diet to achieve required bone mass. Milk, milk products and Ragi preparations are rich in calcium. In adolescent period their height weight increases rapidly. They undergo hormonal changes, sexual maturation, and emotional changes. So, in this period more anabolic changes require adequate balanced diet and physical activity, games and sports among the children should be encouraged.
Children are the property and future of our country, we must give priority for their physical, mental and social development. So, it is very important to take care of their diet and lifestyle of the child for their complete well-being.
