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Nutrition During Early Childhood

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Encyclopedia of Primary Prevention and Health Promotion

Introduction

Nutritional status between conception and the age of 5 years is strongly associated with growth and development. Children in this age group are uniquely vulnerable to the adverse effects of dietary deficiencies, both physiologically, because of high metabolic demand, and socially, because of lack of autonomy. This age group may be particularly vulnerable to the long-term sequelae of overnutrition as well, with increasing evidence that overweight early in life predicts later obesity – as does maternal overnutrition during pregnancy. The primary prevention of short- and long-term sequelae of both over- and undernutrition in this age group is achievable through the application of health and nutrition knowledge, the provision of social services, and the exercise of political will.

Definitions

In utero growth and development is divided into the embryological period (approximately first 12 weeks following conception) during which organ systems are forming and the fetal period...

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Acknowledgment

The technical assistance of Mrs. Michelle Pinto-Evans is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, 130 Division St, Derby, CT, 06418, USA

    David L. Katz

  2. Department of Public Health, University of Florence, 4, Bellosguardo street, 50124, Florence, Italy

    Valentina Vinante

  3. Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, 40 Florence Ave, Derby, CT, 06512, USA

    Kimberly Doughty

Authors
  1. David L. Katz
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  2. Valentina Vinante
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  3. Kimberly Doughty
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Correspondence to David L. Katz .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Child & Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut, New London, CT, USA

    Thomas P. Gullotta

  2. University of Connecticut, West Hartford, USA

    Martin Bloom

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Katz, D.L., Vinante, V., Doughty, K. (2014). Nutrition During Early Childhood. In: Gullotta, T.P., Bloom, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Primary Prevention and Health Promotion. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5999-6_150

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5999-6_150

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