Nutrition in Children
Synopsis
Nutrition is a fundamental process that ensures the body receives the necessary nutrients in adequate amounts and at the right times to maintain health and improve quality of life. Childhood nutrition constitutes one of the most critical phases of life in terms of growth, development, and health maintenance. Nutritional mistakes made during this period, such as skipping meals, loss of appetite, and imbalanced consumption of food groups, pose serious threats to health. Inadequate and unbalanced nutrition, stress, poverty, chronic diseases, and exposure to toxins, especially during early childhood, negatively affect brain development and can lead to lifelong permanent damage. Therefore, establishing regular eating habits during childhood reduces unhealthy eating behaviors that may occur in later life. Adequate consumption of various macro and micronutrients during early childhood is vitally important for growth and development. In this context, nutritional interventions during early childhood are of great importance for improving health and shaping eating habits. Nurses play a key role in raising healthy generations by effectively fulfilling their protective, educational, and counseling roles in child nutrition through a family-centered approach.
References
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Alharbi, A. (2025). Jumping hurdles: a grounded theory study of factors influencing school nurses’ role in pediatric obesity prevention in Saudi Arabia. BMC nursing, 24(1), 1351. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-04021-9
Awuchi, C. G., Igwe, V. S., & Amagwula, I. O. (2020). Nutritional diseases and nutrient toxicities: A systematic review of the diets and nutrition for prevention and treatment. International Journal of Advanced Academic Research, 6(1), 1–46.
Baker, R. D., & Baker, S. S. (2026). Infant and toddler nutrition. In W. F. Balistreri, J. A. Hyams, & R. J. Squires (Eds.), Pediatric gastrointestinal and liver disease (7th ed., pp. 949–961). Elsevier.
Bronnert, A., Bloomfield, P. M., Páramo, L. D., Lin, L., Bloomfield, F. H., & Cormack, B. E. (2025). The effect of vitamin supplementation on neurodevelopmental and clinical outcomes in very low birth weight and very preterm infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One, 20(7), e0327628.
de Castro Lobo, L. M., & Hadler, M. C. C. M. (2023). Vitamin E deficiency in childhood: a narrative review. Nutrition Research Reviews, 36(2), 392-405.
Dipasquale, V., Cucinotta, U., & Romano, C. (2020). Acute malnutrition in children: Pathophysiology, clinical effects and treatment. Nutrients, 12(8), Article 2413. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082413
Gribble, K., & Fernandes, C. (2018). Considerations regarding the use of infant formula products in infant and young child feeding in emergencies (IYCF-E) programs. World Nutrition, 9(3), 261–283. https://doi.org/10.26596/wn.201893261-283
Gush, L., Shah, S., & Gilani, F. (2021). Macronutrients and micronutrients. In A prescription for healthy living (pp. 255–273). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-821573-9.00023-0
Haines, J., Haycraft, E., Lytle, L., Nicklaus, S., Kok, F. J., Merdji, M., ... & Hughes, S. O. (2019). Nurturing children's healthy eating: Position statement. Appetite, 137, 124–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2019.02.007
Hanna, M., Jaqua, E., Nguyen, V., & Clay, J. B. (2022). B vitamins: Functions and uses in medicine. The Permanente Journal, 26(2), 89–97. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/21.204
Jebeile, H., Kelly, A. S., O'Malley, G., & Baur, L. A. (2022). Obesity in children and adolescents: Epidemiology, causes, assessment, and management. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 10(5), 351–365. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(22)00047-X
Kaner, G. (2015). Energy and nutrient requirements in enteral and parenteral nutrition in children. Turkiye Klinikleri Nutrition and Dietetics-Special Topics, 1(2), 13–18.
Karavelioğlu, B. (2024). Food diversity and childhood. In Health & Science 2024: A current perspective on childhood obesity and common complications,129.
Lopez, A., Cacoub, P., Macdougall, I. C., & Peyrin-Biroulet, L. (2016). Iron deficiency anaemia. The Lancet, 387(10021), 907–916. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60865-0
Mancin, S., Pipitone, V., Testori, A., Ferrante, S., Soekeland, F., Sguanci, M., & Mazzoleni, B. (2024). Clinical nurse specialists in nutrition: A systematic review of roles and clinical experiences. International nursing review, 71(3), 521-530. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12919
Norris, S. A., Frongillo, E. A., Black, M. M., Dong, Y., Fall, C., Lampl, M., ... & Patton, G. C. (2022). Nutrition in adolescent growth and development. The Lancet, 399(10320), 172–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01590-7
Padayatty, S. J., & Levine, M. (2016). Vitamin C: the known and the unknown and Goldilocks. Oral diseases, 22(6), 463-493.
Pinto, J., da Costa Ximenes, Z., de Jesus, A., de Jesus Leite, A. D. R., & Noronha, H. (2023). The role of nutrition in children's growth and development at early age: Systematic review. International Journal of Research in Science and Technology, 13(4), 23–30. https://doi.org/10.37648/ijrst.v13i04.004
Richter, L., Black, M., Britto, P., Daelmans, B., Desmond, C., Evercelli, A., Dua, T., Fink, G., Heymann, J., Lombardi, J., Lu, C., Naicker, S., & Vargas-Baron, E. (2019). Early childhood development: An imperative for action and measurement at scale. BMJ Global Health, 4(Suppl 4), Article e001302. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001302
Saavedra, J. M., & Prentice, A. M. (2023). Nutrition in school-age children: A rationale for revisiting priorities. Nutrition Reviews, 81(7), 823–843. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuac089
Savarino, G., Corsello, A., & Corsello, G. (2021). Macronutrient balance and micronutrient amounts through growth and development. Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 47(1), Article 109. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-021-01061-0 (Note: DOI from journal standard.)
Sezer, E., Şeker, S., & Karaman, A. D. (2022). Investigation of feeding characteristics of babies for 0-12 months: Aydın province sampling. Pamukkale Medical Journal, 15(4), 662–673. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1063606
Uğurlu, S., & Şener, E. (2020). Bebek dostu hastane girişimi: Örgütsel düzeyde bir kavram analizi. SDÜ Sağlık Yönetimi Dergisi, 2(2), 65–79.
Umekar, S., & Joshi, A. (2024). Obesity and preventive intervention among children: A narrative review. Cureus, 16(2), Article e54520. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.54520
Victora, C. G., Bahl, R., Barros, A. J., França, G. V., Horton, S., Krasevec, J., ... & Rollins, N. C. (2016). Breastfeeding in the 21st century: Epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. The Lancet, 387(10017), 475–490. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01024-7
Wickramasinghe, K., Mathers, J. C., Wopereis, S., Marsman, D. S., & Griffiths, J. C. (2020). From lifespan to healthspan: The role of nutrition in healthy ageing. Journal of Nutritional Science, 9, Article e33. https://doi.org/10.1017/jns.2020.26
Zare-Kaseb, A., Sarmadi, S., Nazari, A. M., Ryahin, A., & Emami Zeydi, A. (2025). Knowledge, attitude, and practice of nurses regarding enteral feeding: a systematic review. BMC nursing, 24(1), 155. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-02755-0
Alharbi, A. (2025). Jumping hurdles: a grounded theory study of factors influencing school nurses’ role in pediatric obesity prevention in Saudi Arabia. BMC nursing, 24(1), 1351. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-04021-9
Awuchi, C. G., Igwe, V. S., & Amagwula, I. O. (2020). Nutritional diseases and nutrient toxicities: A systematic review of the diets and nutrition for prevention and treatment. International Journal of Advanced Academic Research, 6(1), 1–46.
Baker, R. D., & Baker, S. S. (2026). Infant and toddler nutrition. In W. F. Balistreri, J. A. Hyams, & R. J. Squires (Eds.), Pediatric gastrointestinal and liver disease (7th ed., pp. 949–961). Elsevier.
Bronnert, A., Bloomfield, P. M., Páramo, L. D., Lin, L., Bloomfield, F. H., & Cormack, B. E. (2025). The effect of vitamin supplementation on neurodevelopmental and clinical outcomes in very low birth weight and very preterm infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One, 20(7), e0327628.
de Castro Lobo, L. M., & Hadler, M. C. C. M. (2023). Vitamin E deficiency in childhood: a narrative review. Nutrition Research Reviews, 36(2), 392-405.
Dipasquale, V., Cucinotta, U., & Romano, C. (2020). Acute malnutrition in children: Pathophysiology, clinical effects and treatment. Nutrients, 12(8), Article 2413. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082413
Gribble, K., & Fernandes, C. (2018). Considerations regarding the use of infant formula products in infant and young child feeding in emergencies (IYCF-E) programs. World Nutrition, 9(3), 261–283. https://doi.org/10.26596/wn.201893261-283
Gush, L., Shah, S., & Gilani, F. (2021). Macronutrients and micronutrients. In A prescription for healthy living (pp. 255–273). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-821573-9.00023-0
Haines, J., Haycraft, E., Lytle, L., Nicklaus, S., Kok, F. J., Merdji, M., ... & Hughes, S. O. (2019). Nurturing children's healthy eating: Position statement. Appetite, 137, 124–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2019.02.007
Hanna, M., Jaqua, E., Nguyen, V., & Clay, J. B. (2022). B vitamins: Functions and uses in medicine. The Permanente Journal, 26(2), 89–97. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/21.204
Jebeile, H., Kelly, A. S., O'Malley, G., & Baur, L. A. (2022). Obesity in children and adolescents: Epidemiology, causes, assessment, and management. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 10(5), 351–365. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(22)00047-X
Kaner, G. (2015). Energy and nutrient requirements in enteral and parenteral nutrition in children. Turkiye Klinikleri Nutrition and Dietetics-Special Topics, 1(2), 13–18.
Karavelioğlu, B. (2024). Food diversity and childhood. In Health & Science 2024: A current perspective on childhood obesity and common complications,129.
Lopez, A., Cacoub, P., Macdougall, I. C., & Peyrin-Biroulet, L. (2016). Iron deficiency anaemia. The Lancet, 387(10021), 907–916. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60865-0
Mancin, S., Pipitone, V., Testori, A., Ferrante, S., Soekeland, F., Sguanci, M., & Mazzoleni, B. (2024). Clinical nurse specialists in nutrition: A systematic review of roles and clinical experiences. International nursing review, 71(3), 521-530. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12919
Norris, S. A., Frongillo, E. A., Black, M. M., Dong, Y., Fall, C., Lampl, M., ... & Patton, G. C. (2022). Nutrition in adolescent growth and development. The Lancet, 399(10320), 172–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01590-7
Padayatty, S. J., & Levine, M. (2016). Vitamin C: the known and the unknown and Goldilocks. Oral diseases, 22(6), 463-493.
Pinto, J., da Costa Ximenes, Z., de Jesus, A., de Jesus Leite, A. D. R., & Noronha, H. (2023). The role of nutrition in children's growth and development at early age: Systematic review. International Journal of Research in Science and Technology, 13(4), 23–30. https://doi.org/10.37648/ijrst.v13i04.004
Richter, L., Black, M., Britto, P., Daelmans, B., Desmond, C., Evercelli, A., Dua, T., Fink, G., Heymann, J., Lombardi, J., Lu, C., Naicker, S., & Vargas-Baron, E. (2019). Early childhood development: An imperative for action and measurement at scale. BMJ Global Health, 4(Suppl 4), Article e001302. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001302
Saavedra, J. M., & Prentice, A. M. (2023). Nutrition in school-age children: A rationale for revisiting priorities. Nutrition Reviews, 81(7), 823–843. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuac089
Savarino, G., Corsello, A., & Corsello, G. (2021). Macronutrient balance and micronutrient amounts through growth and development. Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 47(1), Article 109. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-021-01061-0 (Note: DOI from journal standard.)
Sezer, E., Şeker, S., & Karaman, A. D. (2022). Investigation of feeding characteristics of babies for 0-12 months: Aydın province sampling. Pamukkale Medical Journal, 15(4), 662–673. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1063606
Uğurlu, S., & Şener, E. (2020). Bebek dostu hastane girişimi: Örgütsel düzeyde bir kavram analizi. SDÜ Sağlık Yönetimi Dergisi, 2(2), 65–79.
Umekar, S., & Joshi, A. (2024). Obesity and preventive intervention among children: A narrative review. Cureus, 16(2), Article e54520. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.54520
Victora, C. G., Bahl, R., Barros, A. J., França, G. V., Horton, S., Krasevec, J., ... & Rollins, N. C. (2016). Breastfeeding in the 21st century: Epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. The Lancet, 387(10017), 475–490. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01024-7
Wickramasinghe, K., Mathers, J. C., Wopereis, S., Marsman, D. S., & Griffiths, J. C. (2020). From lifespan to healthspan: The role of nutrition in healthy ageing. Journal of Nutritional Science, 9, Article e33. https://doi.org/10.1017/jns.2020.26
Zare-Kaseb, A., Sarmadi, S., Nazari, A. M., Ryahin, A., & Emami Zeydi, A. (2025). Knowledge, attitude, and practice of nurses regarding enteral feeding: a systematic review. BMC nursing, 24(1), 155. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-02755-0
Pages
13-32
Published
June 30, 2026
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