School-aged children are between ages 6-12 years in which during this period, the height, weight, and build of children may be prominent. School-aged children are both physically active and growing. Nutritional needs during this stage are high and critical to refuel their busy bodies.
Good health and proper nutrition give school-aged children a greater ability to learn and acquire skills to fully develop their potentials. They are required to eat a variety of foods from each food group to ensure optimal intake of all vitamins and minerals. Many factors influence children’s decisions in their food choices and habits. Parents as the role model of their children play an important part in providing healthy eating patterns.
Children need a diet sufficient in essential nutrients for optimal health. Attaining optimal nutrition involves eating three meals a day and two nutritious snacks, consisting of colorful fruits, vegetables, lean meats and low-fat dairy products. Carbohydrates and fats provide energy for growth and physical activity and protein-rich foods help builds, maintains and repairs body tissue. Calcium on the other hand is important in building strong bones and teeth. Children also need iron because of rapidly expanding blood volume during growth.
Parents should ensure to limit the intake of high sugar and high-fat foods of their children to prevent many medical problems including obesity and dental caries. Encourage also physical activity daily like dancing or sports activities and practice proper hygiene at all times.
According to Philippine Dietary Reference Intake (PDRI), a reference value for daily energy and nutrient levels of intake per age groups, the following are the range of intakes for particular nutrients per day: for male children aged 6-9 years old, the energy intake should be 1600 kilocalories (kcal), calcium and iron should be 700 milligrams (mg) and 10 mg respectively; male children aged 10-12 years old, the energy intake should be 2060 kcal, calcium and iron should be 1000 mg and 12 mg respectively; for female children aged 6-9 years old, energy intake is 1470 kcal, recommended calcium and iron intake is 700 mg and 9 mg respectively; and for female 10-12 years old, 1980 kcal is recommended energy intake, 1000 mg for calcium and 20 mg for iron.
DOST-FNRI has also developed Pinggang Pinoy, a food plate model to convey the right food group proportions on a per-meal basis for different population groups including 3 to 12 years old. Likewise, the National Nutrition Council encourages the general public to follow the 10 Kumainments to promote positive nutrition practices to prevent malnutrition and encourage the adoption of a healthy lifestyle.
Adequate nutrition of school-aged children will provide the stepping stones to a healthy life. Parents should ensure good nutrition habits through meal planning, making healthy foods easily accessible and setting a good example for the productive and improved nutritional status of school-aged children. (NOILaurito/OIC-NPC Flores)
References: https://healthengine.com.au/info/nutrition-for-school-children