Protein Nutrients: Important to the Development of Every Cell in the Body

Children and adults all need the same types of nutrients, regardless of weight, age and sex, they just differ in amounts. Children vary from adults because they have stages of rapid growth and development, plus children have less nutrient backup to draw from, making appropriate food intake important for healthy growth and development. Protein is important to the development of every cell in the body. Protein is used for hair, nails, repairing tissue, makes enzymes, hormones and is the building block of bones, skin, muscles and blood.

This is why it is important for a child in the growing stages to intake more protein. "The recommended protein intake for an adult is usually based on the body size: 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight (James, 2004)." The daily intake of protein does not change for adults in times of immense activity, or with aging. However, during development there the protein intake varies. The RDA for newborns up to seven months is 2.2 grams per kilogram during rapid tissue development. For children seven to 10, the recommendation is about 36 total grams, depending on one's body weight. "Pregnant women need to consume an additional 30 grams of protein above the average for adult intake, to nourish the developing fetus (James, 2004)". One should always remember the importance of the good sources of protein that contain the essential amino acids, like; meat, fish, dairy products and eggs. Plant sources of protein do not contain all nine essential amino acids and must be combined with other sources to make up a complete protein diet.

Reference

James, C. D. (2004). Protein. Nutrition and well-being A-Z, 2, 2 vols.