Growth and Development during Childhood Although childhood is a period of growth at a slower rate, it is a vulnerable age group as important physiological and psychological changes take place. These are : (i) Increase in body size. During the second year, the increase in height is about 10 cms and weight gain about 2 to 2.5 kg. Though growth is slackened during the period, important muscle development is taking place.
(ii) Preschool age (3-6 years). During the preschool children growth continues in spurts. The child spends quite a bit of energy in play. Annual gain in height and weight is only about 6-7 cms and 1.5 to 2 kg, respectively. However, there is a wide variance in the physical development of children.
(iii) School age (6-12 years) period. The school age period has been called the latent time of growth as the rate of growth slows and body changes occur gradually. Reserves, however, are being laid down during this period for the rapid growth during adolescence ahead. The age from 6-12 years had, therefore, been called the 'lull before the storm'.
It is important to monitor the growth of the child particularly upto 6 years of age, as this is the most crucial period when nutritional deficiencies occur easily. A healthy normally growing child should gain weight and height regularly.
Nutritional Requirements Energy. In the absence of data on energy intake of normally growing healthy Indian children, the ICMR Nutrition Advisory Committee (1990) has recommended the adoption of energy allowances given by FAO/WHO with necessary adjustments for body weight of healthy well nourished Indian children who had no dietary constraints. It was observed that the actual measured energy intake of such children corresponded closely to the recommended intakes. Based on the evidence of beneficial effects of energy supplementation on the growth of under-nourished and under-weight children. The ICMR Committee suggested that energy should be provided on the basis of ideal weight for age. Therefore, for malnourished children, the recommended intakes for the actual age should be used and no adjustments for actual body weights should be made.
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