Abstract

VASQUEZ-GARIBAY, Edgar M.  and  ROMERO-VELARDE, Enrique. Approaches of healthy diets in children during their different stages of life: Part II. Preschool and school children, and adolescents. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2008, vol.65, n.6, pp.605-615. ISSN 1665-1146.

At the end of the infant stage, children experiment a progressive development which is linked to the establishment of feeding habits. This period of life, since preschool until the pre-puberty stage is characterized by a slow growth with an annual increase of 2 to 3 kg of weight and 5 to 8 cm of stature. As velocity of growth decreases during this period of life, the appetite also diminishes and food intake seems to be irregular or unpredictable. Parents frequently express their worries about the limited variety of ingested foods, the lost of time, distraction and scarce consumption of vegetables and meat, and the preference for candies and sweet foods. In the second spurt of growth, during puberty, the demand of nutrients increase again along with appetite, and eventually some eating disorders might appear as a product of psycho-affective problems in the family and social environment. Personnel on charge (parents, teachers and health professionals) are responsible for providing a variety of nutritious food, structured meal times, and an environment that facilitates feeding and social exchange. Children in these stages of life have the responsibility to determine how much they should eat. A purpose to be attained in preschool and school children and adolescents is to assure their present and future health through the development of healthy feeding habits.

Keywords : Food; healthy; child; life; stages.

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