Research supports the role that DHA plays in promoting health after birth. DHA is naturally present in breast milk, and most infant formulas are enhanced with this essential fatty acid. However, upon weaning and the introduction of solid foods, DHA can quickly become deficient among toddlers. This is a concern. Studies show that DHA plays a critical role in visual and cognitive development during the early years of life. A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics (1992. 120:S129-38) found that uptake of DHA by the brain is significant between ages 2 and 5 and supports the substantial accumulation of DHA by the brain during this critical growth period.
An opportunity exists to design more dairy products to meet the nutritional needs of toddlers and preschoolers. Flavor, taste and texture profiles must be carefully selected because this age group can be picky eaters.
Nutrition for education
As their children grow older, parents are challenged to manage their children’s diet because outside influences play a much larger role in meal and snack selection. Yet, the years from elementary through high school remain developmentally critical because they set the stage for lifelong health. It is during these years that diet can have an impact on the development of allergies, asthma, diabetes, eyesight, obesity and learning and behavioral problems.
During the earliest years, the immune and neurological systems are still developing. The diet must be rich in nutrients that fight disease and build brain power. DHA and EPA help with the latter, while a diet rich in immunity-boosting nutrients, such as antioxidants and various vitamins and minerals, assists with the former.
As permanent teeth come in and children go through puberty, building bone density is essential for the later years. Not only are calcium and vitamin D key, but research shows that other vitamins and minerals, most notably fluoride, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc must be present in sufficient quantities.
Older children become opinionated about their food choices, so it is critical that dairy products designed for this demographic speak to their needs, interests and image. An enhanced milk beverage must be cool enough to compete with a cola, while a cheese snack should appear different than the string cheese they ate as a youngster.
Girls only
A female’s dietary needs change more dramatically than a man’s throughout the lifecycle because of the very specific nutritional needs required for the development, use and shut down of the reproductive system. In particular, during the teen and young adult years, many women will starve their body of important nutrients in order to maintain a slim figure. Unfortunately, the impact of this is not realized until later in life.
In addition to the nutrients already mentioned, vitamin B12 and iron are two others that are typically deficient in young women. Both are provided mainly by foods of animal origin, but body-conscious women often avoid center-of-plate proteins to reduce calorie and fat intake. Further, menstruating women naturally lose iron every month, which can contribute to anemia.
