PRESCHOOL CHILD

NUTRITION

RUTH ANN S. ENTEA, MA.Ed, RND, LPT

Assistant Professor, Nutrition and Dietetics Department
Silliman University
 I. Definition
The period between two to six years. The age group one to
three years is also defined as the toddler period and age
four to six years is defined as the preschool period (Williams,
1989).
II. Characteristics of the Preschooler

1. Following the first year, the growth rate of children slows

down. Energy demand decreases because of the slower
growth.
2. There is rapid growth of muscle and other body tissues,
making protein requirements great in relation to energy
needs.
III. Growth and Development

1. Weight and height. Characterized by steady,

slow growth rate, with more or less equal yearly
gains of as much as two or three kg. The average
height increase by two to three inches each year.
 III. Growth and Development

2. Internal system and tissues. The rate of body systems

slows and stabilizes. The child has about one-half of an
adult’s stomach capacity. Brain growth is rapid in the
first three to four years after birth with the brain size
reaching 90% of its adult size.
 IV. Nutritional Requirements

1. Energy. Children at about one year of age need approximately 1000 kcal and
at age three, they need approximately 1300-1500 kcal per day (Williams,
1989).

Estimates of total energy requirement per day (Querubin and Panlasigui, 1994)

a. Energy/day = 1000 + (age in years x 100)

b. Based on calories/kg DBW

Age Range Energy/kg/day

1-3 years 101

4-6 years 91
 IV. Nutritional Requirements
2. Protein. A protein allowance of 1.7 – 2.0
g/kg DBW is recommended to provide for
increase in skeletal and muscle tissue and for
protection against infection.
 IV. Nutritional Requirements
3. Vitamins and Minerals. All vitamins are needed
for growth and development. Examples calcium and
phosphorus, which are needed for bone
mineralization. Tooth formation increases the need
for fluorine.
 IV. Nutritional Requirements

4. Fluids. A normal child needs 4-6 glasses or

1000 – 1500 ml per day.
 V. Transitional Foods

A. Preschooler’s Food Preferences

1. Mildly flavored foods rather than strongly flavored foods, since the
digestive system of the child is easily irritated by very rich foods, fried
foods, and excessive amounts of fiber.
2. Plain foods are preferred over mixed dishes.
3. Foods that are soft textured, as determined by the child’s ability to chew.
4. Moist foods are preferred over very dried foods, which may reflect the
absence of copious supply of saliva as a natural lubricant.
5. Lukewarm foods are preferred over very cold or very hot food.
 V. Transitional foods

B. Meeting the Food Allowances of the Preschooler

1. Make available to the child ample amounts of body building,
energy-giving, and regulatory foods.
2. Provide meals which include a variety of foods in amounts
sufficient to satisfy appetite.
3. If there is a tendency to decrease milk intake, incorporate milk
in other foods like custard, ice cream and other beverages.
4. Offer small and frequent servings of nutrient dense foods.
5. Offer nutritious snacks in the middle of the morning and
afternoon, making sure they are far from regular mealtimes.
 V. Transitional Foods
❖ Most preschoolers begun to walk about this age and this brings
opportunities for many new activities.
❖ Most give eating a less important place in their lives for a while.
❖ Meals are often seen as interruptions to discoveries and games.
❖ It is also during this stage that the transition from an infant diet
to a regular adult diet passes.
❖ It is therefore critical that attention be given to the formation of
good food habits during this period.
 VI. Feeding Problems
Food Jags.
Eating too little and very limited number of foods. Encourage the use of a
variety of foods.
Dawdling.
The child lingers or plays with the food during mealtimes. Check on the
child who might not be feeling well or the food given might be too large.
Gagging.
The child feels like vomiting. Encourage the child to eat in a well-
ventilated place.
Variable appetite, capricious behavior, difficult to feed.
Parents need to maintain a clam, relaxed attitude and avoid being
overprotective and rigid.
VII. Signs of Good Nutrition Among
Preschoolers
A. Alert and vigorous
B. Exhibits endurance during activity
C. Sleeps well
D. Normal height and weight gain for age
E. Stands erect, arm and legs straight
F. Clear, bright eyes, smooth healthy skin, lustrous hair
G. Firm and well-developed muscles
H. Happy. Not irritable and restless
I. Good attention
 VIII. Mental Feeding

▪ Evidences show that childhood nutrition has a

long lasting effect on many aspects of health.
▪ Simultaneous with the child’s need for the right
kind and amount of nutrients is the child’s
need for enriching experiences to attain the
maximum potential for his brain.
Thank You for Listening !

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