Childhood and adolescence are two very important stages for both physical and mental development. A suitable diet should ensure that all nutrient requirements are met in order to protect current and future health, but should also be enjoyable!
Nutrient requirements during childhood and adolescence are at their highest for many nutrients during human lifetime due to the high nutrient demands of developing from a child into a fully grown adult.
The body goes through extreme physical changes during these years, including marked increases in height, bone and muscle growth which result in increased demand for energy and specific nutrients. Children and adolescents often participate in sports which further increase nutrient requirements and are prone to following inappropriate diets -particularly teenage girls -all of which can increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies.
There are also significant psychological changes occurring at this time, which can have an important impact on eating behaviours and this must be remembered when thinking about food and nutrition in these age groups.
Daily intakes for nutrients as recommended by the
Department of Health DRVs (Dietary Reference Values)
| Energy* (kcal) | 1970 | 1740 | 2220 | 1845 | 2755 | 2110 |
| Protein (g) | 28.3 | 28.3 | 42.1 | 41.2 | 55.2 | 45.4 |
| Thiamin (mg) | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.8 |
| Riboflavin (mg) | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Niacin (mg) | 12 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 18 | 14 |
| Vitamin B12 (μg) | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Vitamin B6 (mg) | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 1.2 |
| Folate (μg) | 150 | 150 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 30 | 30 | 35 | 35 | 40 | 40 |
| Vitamin A (μg) | 500 | 500 | 600 | 600 | 700 | 600 |
| Sodium (mg) | 1200 | 1200 | 1600 | 1600 | 1600 | 1600 |
| Potassium (mg) | 2000 | 2000 | 3100 | 3100 | 3500 | 3500 |
| Calcium (mg) | 550 | 550 | 1000 | 800 | 1000 | 800 |
| Phosphorous (mg) | 550 | 550 | 1000 | 800 | 1000 | 800 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 200 | 200 | 280 | 280 | 300 | 300 |
| Iron (mg) | 8.7 | 8.7 | 11.3 | 14.8 | 11.3 | 14.8 |
| Zinc (mg) | 7.0 | 7.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.5 | 7.0 |
| Iodine (μg) | 110 | 110 | 130 | 130 | 140 | 140 |
* Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) is given for energy.
Other values are Reference Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) - the amount estimated to be sufficient for 97% of a specified population group.
