For all parents worldwide, children’s diet and health are top-of-mind priority. According to the US-based website motherly.ly, “health concerns and quirky habits” topped the list of Google searches by new and seasoned parents in 2024. But despite parents bombarding Google and latterly, Chatgpt with children’s health and nutrition queries, many still lack awareness about specific inputs required for children’s optimal growth and development. Because their bodies are growing rapidly, children and adolescents’ nutritional needs are not the same as adults.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have drawn up well-researched nutrition charts for children according to their developmental stages. In these nutrition guidelines comprising vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates, protein stands out for its critical role in enabling children’s smooth physical and cognitive development. Commonly categorised by nutri-scientists as the building block of life, adequate protein intake at every development stage determines the structure, function, and regulation of all body cells and organisms. In particular, it determines height, weight, muscle development, and immunity of children.
In our off-beat cover story this month, we highlight protein adequacy — not too little, not too much — for children’s balanced growth and development. With surveys reporting widespread protein deficiency within India’s children, we present detailed advice from renowned pediatricians and nutritionists for optimising children’s protein intake at every development stage and ways and means to detect protein deficiency symptoms.
Our important, information-rich cover story apart, check out the Early Childhood story featuring advice on developing healthy habits in picky eaters and the Middle Years essay in which child psychologist Arti Takawane shares effective behaviour management strategies for special needs children.
Also, peruse the Special Essay by Prof. Nicole Bridges in which she presents valuable guidelines for parents to navigate the surfeit of social media parenting groups, and the Health and Nutrition column wherein pediatrician Dr. Tarun Singh elaborates on the importance of parents protecting children’s mental health and well-being.
