Understanding The Power Of Proteins for Kids

Understanding The Power Of Proteins

Understanding The Power Of Proteins

Baby Care
Article
Jan 29, 2019
3 mins

WHAT ARE PROTEINS?

Proteins are often known as the “Bricks of Life”. After water, they are the most abundant substance in the body – all muscles and organs are predominantly composed of them.
 

Proteins serve a very wide variety of functions: as structural elements, components of the immune system, environmental protectors, hormones, biocatalysts (enzymes), and other specific functions.

  • Vision – Rhodopsin protein is necessary for normal vision.
  • Metabolism – Metabolism is controlled by enzymes (proteins).
  • Hormones – Many hormones are proteins.
  • Digestion – Digestive enzymes are proteins.
  • Skeleton – Large proportion of the skeleton is protein.
  • Defense – Skin, nails, hair, immune system.

IS YOUR CHILD GETTING TOO MUCH PROTEIN?

In a developed society like Singapore, food is abundantly available, and it is a cultural habit for food to be associated with showing affection. Chubby children are traditionally preferred and worst of all, many parents tend to perceive their healthy child to be too skinny.

Fat, for the longest time, has been regarded as the culprit in weight problems. But not many realize that PROTEIN also contributes to the calorie count. Recent studies have shown that an early protein intake during infancy and childhood could have a significant effect on weight gain1, 2, and those with high weight gain appear to have more body fat.

THE QUALITY AND AMOUNT OF PROTEIN GIVEN TO YOUR CHILD MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO THEIR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Your child has specific protein needs. They need the right amount of high-quality proteins for a steady, healthy pattern of growth – not too fast and not too slow. 

“Programming” - the concept that the dietary intake such as the amount of and possibly the type of proteins consumed during infancy may have long lasting health effects. Interestingly, recent evidence has shown that too much protein in your child’s diet is not appropriate. It may increase their risk of becoming obese in the future.

By conditioning the child’s diet throughout infancy and onto childhood, parents are provided with the opportunity to positively influence their child’s adult health in the future. So, choosing high quality proteins in the right amount can make a big difference to your child’s growth and help build a strong foundation for life.

HOW MUCH PROTEIN DOES MY CHILD NEED IN A DAY?

Age Group

Estimated Weight

Protein (g/day)

6 - < 9 months

8.5kg

17g

6 - < 12 months

9.5kg

18g

1 - < 2 years

11.0kg

19g

2 - < 3 years

13.5kg

20g

Recommended Dietary Allowances for Normal Healthy Persons in Singapore (Children aged 6 months – 3 years), Singapore Health Promotion Board

REFERENCES:
1. Günther AL, et al. Early protein intake and later obesity risk: which protein sources at which time points throughout infancy and childhood are important for body mass index and body fat percentage at 7 y of age? Am J Clin Nutr 2007;86:1765-72.
2. Ohlund I, et al. BMI at 4 years of age is associated with previous and current protein intake and with paternal BMI. Eur J Clin Nutr 2010;64:138-45.
3. Pietrobelli A,et al. Nutrition in the First 1000 Days: Ten Practices to Minimize Obesity Emerging from Published Science. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017;14(12). Pii: E1491.
 

Related articles

View details Baby Milestones – 9 to 11 Months
Article
Baby Milestones – 9 to 11 Months

Baby Milestones – 9 to 11 Months

A few key milestones in your child’s development

1 min to read

View details What’s a healthy breastfeeding diet?
Article
Healthy Breastfeeding Diet Checklist

What’s a healthy breastfeeding diet?

If you’re breastfeeding, a healthy breastfeeding diet is important as it can affect your baby as much as you. Get tips on what not to eat when breastfeeding and what to eat when breastfeeding.

2 mins to read

View details How to Know if Breastfed Baby is Full
Article
How to Know if Breastfed Baby is Full

How to Know if Breastfed Baby is Full

Did you know? The longer a mom breastfeeds, the more she responds to her baby’s signs of fullness.

2 mins to read

View details 8-week pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Article
pregnancy-belly-fetal-development-week-8

8-week pregnant: baby development and diet tips

About the size of a robin’s egg, your little one measures about 30 mm long. Learn more about this week.

3 mins to read

View details How To Keep Your Child Healthy
Article
How To Keep Your Child Healthy

How To Keep Your Child Healthy

You can't stop your child from getting sick, but you can certainly reduce the chances by following some basic principles to promote a healthy lifestyle and strong immune system.

3 mins to read

View details How to encourage baby’s first steps—in 10 steps
Article
How to Encourage Baby’s First Steps

How to encourage baby’s first steps—in 10 steps

It can be both thrilling and terrifying watching your baby’s first steps—or at least, attempted steps.

2 mins to read

View details Your baby’s step-by-step guide to texture
Article
step-by-step-guide-to-texture

Your baby’s step-by-step guide to texture

Once your baby has mastered smooth purees, it’s time to offer textured foods. Experience with different textures helps him develop the skills for chewing.

1 min to read

View details How much food to feed your baby at 6-7 months / 8 months / 9-11 months
Article
How much food to feed your baby at 6-7 months / 8 months / 9-11 months

How much food to feed your baby at 6-7 months / 8 months / 9-11 months

While feeding your baby, understanding how much food he/she needs can be tricky.

2 mins to read

View details Why your baby needs to be active
Article
Why your baby needs to be active

Why your baby needs to be active

Did you know? Spending time playing with your baby at this age can lead to him being more active when he’s a toddler.

2 mins to read

View details First foods can influence your child’s future tastes
Article
First foods can influence your child’s future tastes

First foods can influence your child’s future tastes

Did you know?

3 mins to read

View details When Can Babies Drink Juice – You may be surprised...
Article
when-can-babies-drink-juice

When Can Babies Drink Juice – You may be surprised...

Think before you drink!

1 min to read

View details How much food to feed your baby at 8 months
Article
How much food to feed your baby at 8 months

How much food to feed your baby at 8 months

With a little knowledge and observation, you will easily be able to identify when you have fed your child the appropriate amount of food.

2 mins to read

View details Your baby proofing action plan
Article
Baby Proofing Action Plan

Your baby proofing action plan

It’s a good idea to baby proof your house before the big arrival. Read our baby proofing tips, from baby safety locks to baby corner guards, to minimize the risk of accidents at home.

1 min to read

View details Baby Not Interested in Eating Solids – Understanding the Process
Article
Baby Not Interested in Eating Solids – Understanding the Process

Baby Not Interested in Eating Solids – Understanding the Process

Did you know?

3 mins to read

View details 12-week pregnant: baby development and diet tips
Article
pregnancy-belly-fetal-development-week-12

12-week pregnant: baby development and diet tips

You’re coming to the end of your first trimester. Congratulations! Read more about this week.

3 mins to read

View details Why Play Is Good For Baby's Body and Mind
Article
Why Play Is Good For Baby's Body and Mind

Why Play Is Good For Baby's Body and Mind

Your little one is bursting with energy from dusk till dawn and loves making new discoveries.

3 mins to read

View details Baby talk: How to encourage baby’s first words.
Article
How to Encourage Baby’s First Words

Baby talk: How to encourage baby’s first words.

Your baby’s first words are likely to happen after a few months of baby talk.

2 mins to read

View details Top 5 nutrients and how to get them 
Article
top-5-nutrients

Top 5 nutrients and how to get them 

Choose foods containing these key essential vitamins and minerals to help your baby develop healthily.

1 min to read

View details Baby Milestones – After 6 to 7 Months
Article
Baby Milestones – After 6 to 7 Months

Baby Milestones – After 6 to 7 Months

A few key milestones in your child’s development

1 min to read

Join Nestlé Baby Club

  Join Nestlé Baby Club

Parenting peace of mind, just a click away. Get your personal weekly advice and solutions via email.

Learn About Nutrition Parenting - Baby and me Nestle Singapore

Learn about nutrition & parenting

Sample - Baby and me Nestle Singapore

Enjoy samples, gifts and great deals

Get-Help - Baby and me Nestle Singapore

Get help & answers you need in no time