Kitob ta'rifi

Nutrition for infants, children, and adolescents should maintain current weight and support normal growth and development. Growth during infancy is rapid, critical for neurocognitive development, and has the highest energy and nutrient requirements relative to body size than any other period of growth. It is followed by growth during childhood, when 60% of total growth occurs, and finally by puberty. Nutrition and growth during the 1st 3 yr of life predict adult stature and some health outcomes. The major risk period for growth stunting (impaired linear growth) is between 4 and 24 mo of age. Therefore, it is critical to identify nutrient deficiencies promptly and to address them aggressively early in life, because missing them can impart lasting adverse effects on later growth and development.
Dietary intake should provide energy requirements as well as the essential macronutrient and micronutrient needs for sustaining the function of multiple vital processes. Nutrient deficiencies can limit growth, impair immune function, affect neurodevelopment, and increase morbidity and mortality