Find out your child's energy needs

Children's energy needs are quite high, so they need to be supplemented with nutrients from daily meals and breast milk. In addition to meeting the energy needs appropriate for each age, infants and young children also need to be ensured that they have enough of the essential nutrient groups such as sugars, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals. .

Young bodies develop at a rapid rate. The growth of organ systems, metabolic reactions, muscle function, heat production, and the creation of new cells all require energy. The unit of measurement for energy is calorie (cal) or kilocalories (kcal). The nutritional requirement of infants (under 1 year old) is about 150 kcal/kg/day on average. For older children, the nutritional requirement is calculated by the formula: 1000kcal + 100 * age (years).
Oxidation reactions in ingredients from foods and drinks such as fats, proteins, and sugars are the main sources of energy for the child's body. Each group of substances has the ability to produce energy to different degrees:
1 gram of carbohydrates produces 4 kcal. 1 gram of fat produces 9 kcal. 1 gram of protein produces 4 kcal. Children's energy needs are divided into two main groups based on their function, including:
Energy needed to synthesize and form new cell tissues Energy stored in cells, mainly from protein and fat. Unlike in adults, when providing nutrition for children, in addition to meeting children's energy needs, it is necessary to pay attention to the following principles:
Energy needs are sufficient for the operation and development of all children. all organ systems in the body, especially the central nervous system. After birth, the brain and nervous system are the least developed organs in the baby's body. An infant's brain weighs only about 500 grams. The nervous system will continue to develop rapidly for the first 5 years. Along with a high-energy diet, the foods provided for children need to be diversified, ensuring enough groups of substances such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. A healthy diet combined with regular exercise will help children develop balanced and healthy. In addition, maintaining this good habit is very beneficial during the transition from a high-fat diet that meets the nutritional needs of infants to a low-fat, high-fiber diet that corresponds to their needs. energy of preschool children. Priority should be given to choosing fresh and clean foods.

Vietnam's Ministry of Health has issued recommendations in the form of documents related to daily nutritional needs, classified by gender, age and occupation. Recommended dietary allowance is defined as the recommended amount of a nutrient to meet daily needs, known as RDA (recommended dietary allowance for short). The nutritional needs of children are determined specifically for each group of substances as follows:
Protein: Protein or protein is the first group of essential substances mentioned. Children's bodies need an adequate supply of protein to form and build new cell tissues, produce enzymes and hormones that regulate the body. Protein is an important component in brain development, especially in the process of myelination of nerve cells. Food sources of protein include fish, meat, eggs, milk and dairy products. Breast milk is also an important source of protein for infants, so breastfeeding should be continued from 18 to 24 months of age. Plant-based foods like legumes are also good sources of healthy protein similar to animal protein. The average protein requirement in children is about 2-3 grams/kg/day. Carbohydrates: this is a group of substances that create feelings of fullness and provide the main energy in meals. Cereals, potatoes, rice, bread, vermicelli, and vermicelli are foods rich in carbohydrates. Glucid and fiber are two typical representatives of this group of nutrients. The body's need for carbohydrates increases with age. Children under 1 year of age should be offered about 80-100 grams/day, while preschool-aged children (3 to 5 years old) should get about 200g/day. Fats (lipids): are the group of substances that can be converted into energy the most. Each gram of fat provides 9 kcal, while each gram of protein or carbohydrate provides only about 4 kcal. In addition to providing direct energy for the body's activities, fat is also responsible for storing energy in the form of adipose tissue. Moreover, thanks to lipids, the body can absorb fat-soluble groups such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K. Cooking oil, animal fat such as chicken fat, lard, fish fat, avocado are sources of essential fats for children. Parents can add 1-2 tablespoons of oil to their child's porridge bowl or use the oil to prepare food for older children. Vitamins: Vitamin A and vitamin C are the two vitamins that are of most concern to children. They are needed for physical growth, blood production and strengthening the immune system. Vitamin A is provided from foods of animal origin such as chicken liver, eggs, eel and red, orange and yellow vegetables. In addition, other vitamins such as vitamin E and B vitamins are also essential for children. Minerals: iron, calcium, phosphorus, zinc are necessary trace elements for the body. The need to provide trace elements is not too high, but can cause adverse health reactions if not provided in full. Iron is needed to make blood and supply oxygen to the brain and other organs. Zinc is a building block of the central nervous system and the brain. Calcium helps keep bones strong. Providing adequate energy needs of infants helps children develop comprehensively and ensures their future growth.
Besides, in the process of raising small children, if the child has any problems with digestion, slow weight gain, lazy to eat... Parents can give their children a general health examination for doctors and experts. visit and get expert advice.

Pediatrics - Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to. With modern equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread. Along with that, the dedication from experienced doctors specializes in pediatric patients, making the examination more efficient and shortening the hospital stay.
Children who do not eat properly are at risk of micro-mineral deficiency causing anorexia, growth retardation, malabsorption,... If they notice the above signs, parents should supplement their children with products. The supplement contains lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet the nutritional needs of children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Parents can learn more:
Signs of zinc deficiency in children
Micronutrient deficiency and failure to gain weight in children
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your child. Take care of the baby and the whole family.