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6 July 2010

Nutri-talk: Child nutrition

BIBEK BHANDARI
Nutrition helps in the development, survival and growth of human body, and thus it is very important to keep in mind child nutrition, said dietician Sushila Devi Sharma.

“Nutrition is the relation between the food and human body. Nutrition, which is the composition of food, complements the chemical composition ofthe human body to nurture and develop,” she added.

And it is very important to focus on child nutrition, which, most of the times, is underestimated. According to the most recent estimate by a report published by the Ministry of Health and Population’s Department of Health Services and UNICEF, maternal and child under-nutrition contributes to more than one third of children’s deaths. And the report states that undernourished children who survive have problems, such as recurring illness and/or physical disabilities or cognitive development.

Dietician Sharma stressed on the proper food intake during pregnancy for women since the baby in the womb is dependent on the mother’s diet.

“In case of an unbalanced diet, it affects the development of a child,” she said, giving examples.

“For example, if a mother doesn’t have enough folic acid [that helps in production and maintenance of new cells], there can be deficiency in children, such as malnutrition.”

Thus pregnant women should have more protein, carbohydrate, folic acid (spinach, cereals, lentils) and Vitamin C and also iron tablets and calcium, if and when required, after consulting the doctor.

According to the report titled “Tracking Progress on Child and Maternal Nutrition in Nepal,” low birth weight is related to maternal under-nutrition and contributes to infections that together account for about 60% of neonatal deaths.

However, after birth, along with a mother’s diet, the child’s nutrients should also be a major concern, Sharma said.

“For the first three months, breastfeeding is the best source of nutrients,” she said.

Upon reaching five months, mothers should concentrate on providing supplementary food to children: one to two spoons of tomato juice and fruit juices, to begin.

“But don’t give much,” the dietician suggested. “It should be tested how the child adapts to it and if they can digest it.”

However, according to Sharma and the Department of Health Services’ report, only about 60% of children aged six to seven months are provided supplementary food, and the food provided is low in energy, which makes the children vulnerable to various diseases.

“Because of undernourishment, the immunity power becomes less in children and also can have vitamin deficiency which makes them susceptible to diseases like measles, chicken pox,” Sharma said.

During the course of providing supplementary food, children should also be given adequate amount of vitamins, minerals, iron, iodine and zinc.

Vitamin A, which is directly related to vision, can be found in meat, green vegetables like spinach and broccoli, and these vegetables in mashed form should be a part of the child’s diet, informed Sharma. To combat Vitamin A deficiency in children, the government has also launched the National Vitamin A Program.

The macro and micronutrients being provided to children should be monitored, Sharma said. Macronutrients, which impact the height and weight of children, include carbohydrates, protein and fats, and micronutrients include minerals and vitamins.

According to Sharma, there should be a diet plan that fulfills the necessity calorie and protein intake for children. A newborn with an average weight of 3 kilograms requires 360 calories and 6.6 grams of protein in relation with 2.2g per body kg.

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