What is common between hungry child and naughty child?

Many studies examined the independent contribution of child hunger on children's physical and mental health and academic functioning. It is well accepted that malnourished children are less responsive, less inquisitive, and participate in less exploratory behaviour than well nourished infants. Specific nutrient deficiencies such as iron deficiency anaemia can also result in a decreased ability to pay attention and poorer problem - solving skills. With vitamin A deficiency, more than 2 million children experience severe eyesight issues and some are permanently blinded. While most feeding problems in infants and young child are temporary, emotional and social development may be impacted during late childhood, adolescence and adulthood. 

Cold or flu?

Are You feeling not well? Stuffy nose, coughing and feel exhausted? Not sure if you have a cold or the flu? Colder weather and crowded travel can lead to the transmittance of sickness. Flu and cold symptoms are similar and may differ only in severity.

The following table shows the differences between symptoms of the common cold and the more severe flu:

Oil of Oregano

Oregano grows wild throughout the world, but is native to the Mediterranean area. Oregano is a member of the labiate-mint family, it is closely related to and sometimes confused with Marjoram and Thyme. Oregano essential oil is produced from the oregano plant through the process of steam distillation. There are a variety of species referred to as oregano, but only a few qualify as high grade and are suitable for making oregano essential oil. Wild oregano (Oreganum vulgare) has the most potent medicinal qualities. Oregano essential oil should be made only from high-grade oregano that grows wild in the mountains of the Mediterranean.

Is organic food healthier?

The popularity of organic and natural foods continues to increase with the growth of ethical consumerism. Environmental, social and political issues are as important as nutrition in organic farming and whether a consumer decides to go organic. The organic food industry and sales are growing at the rate of 20% per year.

Must in adolescent nutrition

The nutrient and energy needs of teenagers are higher than those of any other age group and they need to follow a healthy, balanced diet to promote growth and development. Estimated energy requirements vary greatly among males and females because of variations in growth rate, body composition, and physical activity level. Energy requirements are calculated using and adolescent’s gender, age, height, weight and physical activity level, with an additional 25 kcal/day added for energy deposition or growth. Adequacy of energy intake is best assessed by monitoring weight and BMI among adolescents. The energy, protein and fat requirements increase as your child reaches 15 and moves on towards adulthood. On average, boys require about 2800 calories per day, and girls, 2200 calories per day.

20 teens-friendly healthy snacks

Snack	calories	Fat, g	Calcium, mg	Iron, mg	Zinc, mg	Folate, µg
Frozen yogurt, flavors not chocolate, ½ cup	71	0,5	108	0	0,3	8,2
Fruit and juice bar, 3 fl oz	80	0,1	4,6	0,2	0	6,4
Milk, skim, with added vitamins A and D, 1 cup	103	2,4	305	0,1	1	12,2
Pretzels, soft, 1 small	210	2	14,3	2,4	0,6	15
1 apple, slieced, with peanut butter, 2 tbsp	226	16	17	0,7	1	25
English muffin, whole wheat	134	1,4	175	2	1,1	33
Popcorn, air popped, 1 oz	110	1,3	2	1	1	9
Orange	100	0,5	114	1,3	0,2	48
1 large pita bread with 3 tbsp hummus	240	5	69	3	1,3	102
Cheese string	69	5	149	0,1	0,5	3,2
1 baked potato with 2 tbsp salsa sauce	156	0,2	19	0,7	0,5	16
Graham crackers, plain or honey, 1 oz	120	2,9	7	1,1	0,2	13
Trail mix, unsalted, 1 oz	131	8,3	23	1	1	20
Pumpkin and squash seed kernels, without salt, 1 oz	163	14	15	4	2,2	17
Baby carrots, 3 oz with ranch dressing, 1 tbsp	60	2	33	1	0,2	24
Banana	105	0,4	6	0,3	0,2	24
Granola bar, oat, fruits and nut, 1 oz	113	1,8	10	1,5	0,5	46
Rice cakes, 2	71	0,8	2	0,3	0,5	4
Zucchini, battered and fried, 10 sticks	150	12	52	0,5	0,3	22
Ham, egg and cheese sandwich	348	16	212	3	2	76

Nutrition during childhood

While peer pressure and TV commercials for junk food can make getting children to eat well seem impossible, there are steps parents can take to instill healthy eating habits without turning mealtimes into a battle zone.

Infant feeding guidlines

In the weaning stage infants have to learn many manipulative skills, including the ability to chew and swallow solid food and use utensils. They learn to tolerate various textures and flavors of food, eat with their fingers, and then feed themselves with a utensil. Very young children should be encouraged to feed themselves.

Children's weight management

About 17% of children and adolescents 2 to 17 years of age are overweight or obese. Childhood obesity increases the risk of obesity in adulthood. For the child who is obese after 6 years of age, the probability of obesity in adulthood is significantly greater if either the mother or the father is obese. Obesity that began in childhood tends to lead to hypertension, elevated LDL cholesterol, diabetes, and triglycerides in adulthood. 

Potassium

Most people who eat a healthy diet should get enough potassium naturally. However, many Americans don't. While the typical American diet, which is high in sodium-containing processed foods and low in fruits and vegetables, contains about two times more sodium than potassium, many health experts recommend taking in at least five times more potassium than sodium. So the average U.S. intake of potassium is lower than it should be. 

Chromium

Chromium potentiates insulin action and as such influences carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism. Chromium regulates blood sugar, and helps insulin transport glucose into cells, where it can be used for energy.With a deficiency of chromium, the chances of getting diabetes increase. Chromium can also help raise HDL cholesterol levels, and may play a role in preventing heart disease.

Manganese

The 10 to 20 mg of manganese contained in the adult human body are concentrated in tissues rich in mitochondria. Manganese is a component of many enzymes. Manganese is associated with the formation of connective and skeletal tissues, growth and reproduction, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Manganese helps your body utilize several key nutrients such as biotin, thiamin, ascorbic acid, and choline; keep your bones strong and healthy; help your body synthesize fatty acids and cholestorol; maintain normal blood sugar levels; promote optimal function of your thyroid gland; maintain the health of your nerves; protect your cells from free-radical damage. 

Selenium

Regions of North America identified as low in selenium content are the Northeast, Pacific, Southwest, and coastal plain of the southeastern region of the United States, as well as north central and eastern Canada. The lowest selenium content of soil exists in a few regions of China, especially in Keshan, where severe selenium deficiency was first reported in a human population in 1979. Other areas with low selenium content include parts of Finland and New Zealand. 

Iodine

Iodine deficiency is the most common preventable cause of mental retardation in the world. Use of iodized salt or the oral administration of a single dose of iodized oil, and weekly iodine supplements are effective. Use of iodized salt should be encouraged during pregnancy, especially through the end of the second trimester. 

Copper

Copper, a normal constituent of blood, is another established essential micronutrient. Recent interest in copper has increased because of the potential risk of deficiency. Concentrations of copper are is highest in the liver, muscle, brain, heart, and kidney. Muscle contains almost 40% of all the copper in the body. Deficiency develops slowly as copper stores becomes depleted. Deficiencies have not been reported in otherwise healthy humans consuming a varied diet. Bone changes, including osteoporosis, metaphyseal spur information, and soft tissue calcification in infants receiving prolong TPN may resolve with copper supplementation. 

Zinc

The most readily available form of zinc occurs in animal flesh, particularly red meats and poultry. Meat intake is frequently low among preschoolers, occasionally because of personal preferences or socioeconomic reasons, but usually because meats are displaced by cereal foods, milk and milk products that children tend to prefer. Observation led to the fortification of infant and children’s foods, especially cereals, with zinc. Milk is a good source of zinc, but high intakes of calcium from milk may interfere with the absorption of iron and zinc. The phytates from a whole grains in unleavened breads may limit zinc absorption in some populations. 

Fluoride

Fluoride is a natural element found in nearly all drinking water and soil, although the fluoride content varies greatly throughout the world. Some well water has much more fluoride than other water, so families who use well water need to monitor fluoride levels periodically to make sure that levels are not in the toxic range. Although fluoride is not considered an essential element, this anion is known to be important for the health of bones and teeth. 

Iron

Iron deficiency, the precursor of iron deficiency anemia, is the most common of all nutritional deficiency diseases. In the United States and worldwide, iron deficiency anemia is prevalent among children and woman of childbearing age. The groups considered to be at greatest risk for iron deficiency anemia are infants younger than 2 years of age, adolescent girls, pregnant woman, and older adults. Pregnant teenagers are frequently at high risk because of poor eating habits and continuing growth. Women in their childbearing years who are iron deficient benefit from either a diet rich in iron-containing foods or supplements.