Nutrition, health and schoolchildren

Abstract

SUMMARY 1 NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF CHILDREN 1.1 Dietary reference values 1.2 Fluid requirements 1.3 Growth and development 2 THE NATIONAL DIET AND NUTRITION SURVEY OF YOUNG PEOPLE 2.1 Types of food eaten 2.2 Energy intake 2.3 Macronutrient intakes 2.4 Micronutrient intakes and status 2.5 Dietary supplements 2.6 Vegetarians/vegans 2.7 Regional and socio‐economic differences 3 PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PATTERNS IN CHILDREN 3.1 Physical activity patterns in the UK 3.2 Health benefits and effecting change 4 HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF CHILDREN's DIETS AND ACTIVITY PATTERNS 4.1 Prevalence and implications of childhood obesity 4.2 Risk factors for cardiovascular health 4.3 Bone development 4.4 Cancer 4.5 Iron deficiency anaemia 4.6 Oral health 4.7 Food allergies and intolerance 4.8 Eating disorders and restrained eating 5 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INFLUENCES 5.1 Impact of television advertising 5.2 Other social influences 5.3 Teenage pregnancy 5.4 Smoking, alcohol and drug use 6 TEACHING ABOUT NUTRITION AND HEALTH IN SCHOOLS 6.1 The formal curriculum 6.2 The ‘hidden’ curriculum 7 IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN 7.1 UK initiatives in schools 7.2 School lunches 7.3 School initiatives in North America and elsewhere 7.4 Non‐school initiatives 7.5 Welfare programmes for mothers and young children 8 CONCLUSIONS REFERENCES LIST OF BRIEFING PAPERS Summary Over the last 50 years, there has been a change in the predominant concerns about the diets and health of school aged children. Historically, the focus has been on the provision of sufficient nutrients and energy in relation to current and future needs, but providing dietary balance and encouraging less sedentary lifestyles are now viewed as the main priorities. The government report, the National Diet and Nutrition Survey: Young People aged 4–18 years, which was published in 2000, provides comprehensive information on the dietary patterns, nutrient intakes, nutritional status and physical activity patterns of young people in Britain today. This survey, in common with a number of other recent reports and papers, has identified the public health implications of the diet and lifestyle of schoolchildren of all ages. With the exception of very young children (4–6 years old), between 40–69% of children in Britain are largely inactive, spending less than one hour a day participating in activities of moderate intensity. These findings are also consistent with a number of other recent reports concerning the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in children. This situation mirrors that in adults and is likely to have the same fundamental causes. Consistent with data from the National Food Survey, it appears that over recent years there has been a reduction in energy intake and fat intake as a percentage of energy, with a corresponding increase in the proportion of energy derived from protein and carbohydrate. The average fat intake of children is in line with recommendations for adults, although their average intake of saturated fatty acids st...

Dietary Intake of Schoolchildren and Adolescents in Developing Countries

“…Similarly, 18% of the world's population are adolescents, with the vast majority (88%) living in developing countries [2]. School-age children and adolescents have an increased need for nutrients [3]. This dynamic period of growth and development forms a foundation for good adult health as children go through physical, emotional and social changes [4].…”

Macronutrient intakes and their role in obesity

“…2000). Levels of physical activity are declining, both in children and in adults, and 40–69% of British children over the age of 6 years are inactive (Buttriss 2002). Data from the Health Survey for England show that between 1997 and 2004, two‐thirds of men and three‐quarters of women had low levels of reported physical activity, meaning that only 35% of men and 24% of women were taking 30 minutes of moderate exercise five or more times a week.…”

Tackling Obesity: Developing a Research Agenda for Advertising Researchers

“…What factors influence child and adult activity patterns (Buttriss 2002) iii. Does brand recognition and recall lead to buying preferences (Van Evra 1995) and how can the integrated model of persuasion be used to analyse this process?…”