Specific Nutritional Needs for Children. Are Children Small Adults?

Parents have always been concerned about the eating habits of their children. One should be as cautious of the uncritical use in children of products designed for adults, as one should be observing the counter arguments that products designed for adults should never be used in children because they have never been tested in children. The nutritional requirements for adults and children differ. Although the chemical composition of organs differs according to age, organ size is a factor that changes much more according to age. The accurate assessment of food intake in children and adolescents is of concern because dietary habits formed early in life in response to physiological requirements and psycho-social pressures may have considerable impact on long-term health status. Future research should focus on refining dietary survey methods to make them more sensitive to different ages. Regarding nutrient requirements and dietary habits, children cannot be considered as small adults.