HEALTH PROMOTION FOR THE TODDLER OR PRESCHOOLER AND FAMILY
Nutrition
The rate of growth slows during the toddler and preschool period, as does the child's appetite. This is sometimes referred to as physiologic anorexia. The child's food experiences during this period can have a lasting effect on how food and meals are viewed. The family is the primary influence at this time, although television plays an important role. Children should be discouraged from eating while watching television, and family mealtimes should be encouraged.
Nutritional Requirements
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of health and Human Services (USDHHS) published new nutritional guidelines in 2005 (see Box 4-7 and Fig.4-6). Children 2 to 8 years should consume 2 cups per day of fat-free or low-fat milk or equivalent milk products. Yogurt and cheese are other milk-group sources. Total fat intake should remain between 30% and 35% of calories for children aged 2 to 3 years and between 25% and 35% of calories for children aged 4 years and older. Most fats should come from sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, and vegetable oils (USDHHS & USDA, 2005). Poultry, fish, and lean meat are good sources of iron. Low-sugar breakfast cereals are sources of iron and vitamins. Snacks of fruits and vegetables assist in meeting the child's nutritional requirements (Box 6-3). Many similarities exist in the nutritional needs of the toddler and the preschooler. Children this age who eat well-balanced diets should not experience iron deficiency. If milk remains the primary food, however, it will replace foods rich in iron, vitamins, and minerals, such as dark-green leafy vegetables, meats, and legumes. The child who is healthy does not need vitamin supplementation. However, giving a daily children's multivitamin containing 100% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) is not harmful.