Nutrition, Health and Well-being | Class 11 Home Science Notes

HEALTH, NUTRITION AND WELL-BEING OF SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN (7-12 YEARS)

School-age children between 7 and 12 years are physically active and experience slower but steady growth. Nutritional requirements are similar for boys and girls up to 9 years, after which girls require increased protein, iron, and calcium for bone growth and preparation for menarche, while boys need more calories to support the upcoming growth spurt during adolescence. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) provides recommended dietary allowances for energy, protein, fat, calcium, iron, vitamins A, B-complex, and C for age groups 7-9 and 10-12 years, differentiated by gender. Planning diets for school children emphasizes variety, adequate nutrition, limiting saturated fats, salt, and sugar, ensuring breakfast consumption, and involving children in meal planning. Variety ensures intake of all nutrients; good nutrition supports growth and prevents deficiencies such as anemia and rickets. Limiting fats and sugars reduces risks of obesity, dental caries, hypertension, and diabetes. Breakfast is crucial after overnight fasting to support physical and mental performance. Involving children in meal planning and cooking fosters healthy eating habits. Balanced diets include cereals, pulses, milk, fruits, vegetables, sugars, and fats in quantities recommended by ICMR. Regional variations exist in typical meals and snacks. Factors influencing diet intake include family environment, media influence, peer pressure, socio-cultural factors, and erratic appetite. Healthy habits such as sensible eating, physical activity, food safety, and control over quantity intake are essential. Health issues include rising obesity and related diseases among affluent children and undernutrition among poorer groups. Government schemes like the Mid-day Meal Scheme have improved nutrition and school attendance, especially for girls. School health programs provide free health checks and treatment to enhance well-being.

📊 Diagram: Tables showing recommended dietary allowances for school-age children, including energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals, and balanced diet quantities for cereals, pulses, milk, fruits, vegetables, sugars, and fats. Photographs illustrating typical meals and snacks for school children.

🧪 Activity: Activity 3: Suggest breakfast and dinner menus for a 9-year-old sister and 11-year-old brother who are vegetarians.

🔗 Connection: This section connects to discussions on factors influencing diet intake and healthy habits in children, as well as health and nutrition issues faced by school-age children.