Infancy (0-2 years)
Nutrition during this period has a very important place in preventing chronic diseases that may occur in the future and increasing the quality of life. The essence of nutrition should be breast milk. However, the way, time and amount of breast milk should be considered in terms of milk productivity.
The quality and quantity of milk given by the mother in each lactation period varies, and at the same time, the milk of each mother may not be fully useful for her baby and may form the basis of developmental problems of the baby. For all these reasons, even if the baby is breastfed, their growth and development should be monitored frequently.
In the 0-1 year period of babies, some formulas can be used in addition to breast milk for the first 6 months, depending on the months they are in and the effect of breast milk on their development. In addition, whether the baby receives breast milk or breast milk + formula or formula alone for 6 months, babies should be switched to supplementary or complementary foods after 6 months.
It is important that the transition to complementary foods is carried out gradually, with attention to quantity and type, and by making additions within the rules.
Early Childhood or Preschool Period (3-6 years)
Following infancy is a time when the child begins to socialize, which can affect the child's quality of life.
Due to socialization and increase in physical activity, the energy that these children need to spend for growth and development is used for physical activity, so both growth and development and increase in daily activity reflect the change in energy and nutrient requirements.
Since children in this age group have a free spirit, they may want to consume the foods of their choice in their diets and may conflict with their mothers or other caregivers in this regard. In this period, it would be the best approach to make a plan within their daily needs, taking into account their wishes.
Numerous studies have shown that feeding interventions that are made without pressuring the child too much are more effective. In addition, it should not be forgotten that nutritional errors in this period may invite the development of other comorbidities, especially childhood obesity.
School Age (7-11 years)
It is a period when the child moves away from the family and gains independence and has great privileges in terms of nutrition. It is an age group in which the child is in close relationship with the school and its environment after the family and is psychologically affected by the concept of friends.
While the child's ties with the family are stronger at the beginning of school age, they begin to move away from the family socially and physically from the middle of the period and when their nutritional status is examined; it is noteworthy that they tend to consume food outside with their peer group rather than home-cooked meals.
The nutritional status of children outside the home should be examined by conducting nutritional follow-up, and necessary supplements should be made by eliminating the deficiencies in their daily needs in their nutrition in the home environment accordingly.
Adolescent Age (12-18 years)
It is the time when the physiological, social and psychological development of childhood is completed and peaks. Growth and development in adolescents is very rapid and at the end of this period, the anthropometric measurement values in adult life are reached.
This rapid growth and development is very important in terms of daily energy and nutrients. In addition, adolescent nutrition is directly related to future chronic diseases and quality of life.
Due to the physiological growth and development of the body, the need for vitamin A, vitamin B12 and folic acid increases, and vitamin D is required for skeletal development. In addition, with the increase in blood volume, there is a need for iron and vitamin C for its easy absorption, and zinc, which is essential for sexual development and height growth.
The nutrition of children in this age group should be monitored frequently and their growth and development should be monitored, and the frequency of eating at home with the family should be increased.
