Child Growth and Development

The goal of nutrition in children is not only to meet current needs, but also to promote normal growth and development to become a healthy adult. Growth is related to child’s increased mass, while development consists in obtaining greater capacity in their body systems through maturation, differentiation and integration of functions. Maturation comprises four major areas: dental, bone, psychomotor and hormonal.

In order for children’s growth to develop according to their age, it is essential to have an adequate diet and food supplements, as well as to manage energy expenditure at each stage of development. This energy expenditure (EE) consists of three components: the EE for maintenance, which is the energy consumed to maintain organic functions at rest, on an empty stomach or when awake; the EE for physical activity, which depends on the intensity and duration of exercise, and the EE for growth, which refers to the energy needed for development. The balance between these factors and external agents (such as health conditions, increased intellectual activity) will determine caloric intake.

Sources: Alonso Álvarez, 2007 Manual Práctico de Nutrición en Pediatría-AEP; Cusminsky, 1994 Manual de Crecimiento y Desarrollo del Niño-OPS