HMPs are the live beneficial bacteria that are naturally present in breast milk.

Over the past number of years, HMPs have seen a surge in scientific interest, driven by growing awareness of the microbiome’s role in maternal and early-life health and immunity.

Recently, the science on HMPs was presented by KHNI experts at two industry conferences, ChinaGut in Zhejiang, China, and Growth Asia Summit in Singapore.

ChinaGut 2025

The ChinaGut 2025 conference with the theme of “GUTSY Young, Bright Future “, was held from June 6 – 8, 2025 at the Ningbo International Conference Centre, Zhejiang, China.  This year’s event featured over 30 academic sessions, more than 10 industry-focused sessions, and fourteen key scientific areas including the microbiome, nutrition, digestive system diseases, and immunity.

Dr. Jaume Núñez, Product Manager for Vegetative Probiotics at Kerry, presented the latest scientific research on HMPs as well as providing market trends and consumer insights.  Breast milk is the gold standard of infant nutrition, containing all nutrients required to support a baby’s healthy growth.

However, many mothers lack support or experience difficulties in breastfeeding leading to infants not reaping the benefits of consuming breast milk.

One of the top reasons why women stop breastfeeding is due to mastitis which occurs in approximately 10-20% of mothers who are breastfeeding.  Dr. Núñez highlighted that mastitis is associated with a dysbiosis in the microbiota in breast ducts.

Research findings presented showed the benefits of HMPs supplementation (specifically Lactobacillus) for the prevention and treatment of mastitis, as well as improving infant health.  HMPs are believed to play a role in antimicrobial defence by inhibiting bacterial growth.

Other potential mechanisms of action include increasing the abundance of microbes which produce favourable metabolites, reducing intestinal dysbiosis, and activating the host’s immune response.

A comment from Dr. Núñez:

“Over half of Asian female supplement consumers are seeking alternative solutions to support their pregnancy and breastfeeding journey.  When a mother’s microbiota is transmitted to her baby, this plays a key role in immune system development, allergy and asthma prevention, and nutrient absorption.  Therefore, the addition of HMPs may play an important role for bottle-fed babies.  We need to keep deepening into HMPs mechanisms of action and how they adapt to the different metabolic and immune characteristics of a woman or a child.”

Growth Asia Summit 2025

At the recent Growth Asia Summit 2025 in Singapore in July, two main research topics stood out namely Healthy Ageing, particularly the role of cellular interventions in extending people’s health span versus lifespan, and Women’s Health, with strong focus on nutrition across life stages.

A presentation on HMPs and their positive impact on maternal and infant health was given by Dr Mónica Maria Olivares, RDA Director of Women’s and Infant Health at Kerry.  The audience heard about the fast-growing probiotics market in the Asia Pacific region.

Dr. Olivares followed on by emphasizing the importance of an infant’s first 1,000 days of life, i.e. from conception to two years, for lifelong health.

Similar with what Dr. Núñez discussed in China, one of Dr. Olivares key messages was that breast milk provides essential nutrients and probiotics that nurture an infant’s gut and immunity.

Research documenting the benefits of HMPs such as enhanced infant gut microbiome development and improved resistance to gastrointestinal and respiratory infections was presented.

Different mechanisms, such as the competition with pathogenic bacteria, production of antimicrobial compounds, maturation of the immune system, and improvement of the immune response, have been attributed to the anti-infectious activity of HMPs.

In summary, our understanding on the health benefits of HMPs for mothers and infants continues to evolve.  Further research will give further insights into their health promoting effects and may elucidate the distinct mechanisms of action for specific strains.

Subsequently, this will increase the availability of targeted products to support mothers and infants through breastfeeding.

Such an intricate journey is filled with moments of anticipation, joy and connection.  But it can also include challenges and health considerations that require thoughtful attention and care.

The link between a mother’s health and their infant’s wellbeing has created a strong consumer demand for products targeting conception, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Of recent launches in the Women’s Supplements Market, 38% were related to pregnancy and/or fertility¹.

The fertility stage is oftentimes the gateway to family living.  Around 186 million individuals live with infertility worldwide, at times leading to feelings of guilt, fear and self-blame².

Support, whether from healthcare professionals, family and/or friends, is key to helping people navigate the complexities of the fertility journey with dignity, resilience and hope.

Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)

Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), affects an estimated 6 – 13% of women, with up to 70% of cases being undiagnosed.

Around 40% of all female fertility disorders are due to ovulatory disorders³, with 85% of these linked to PMOS⁴.

Considering PMOS causes one in three cases of female infertility and affects 6 – 13% of women of reproductive age, there’s demand for naturally derived, science-backed solutions to help promote fertility for those living with PMOS⁵.

However, it is evident from the research that one of the main factors that impact this condition is insulin resistance.

This insulin resistance has a direct effect on Myo-inositol (MI) to D-Chiro-Inositol (DCI) conversion, ultimately causing a DCI deficiency.

This deficiency can lead to hyperinsulinemia, i.e., high levels of insulin, which can cause an overstimulation of the ovary to produce testosterone. i.e., hyperandrogenism, which in turn causes anovulation.

In parallel to this, there is a MI deficiency in the ovary which leads to poor oocyte maturation.  This is because MI is involved oocyte maturation.

This together with anovulation can contribute to infertility associated with PMOS.

Biosynthesis of myoinositol (MI) occurs endogenously, primarily in the kidney, with a rate approaching 4g per day.  The conversion rate of MI to D-chiro-inositol (DCI) ranges from 3% to about 9%⁶.

In women suffering PMOS, they have a systemic deficiency of DCI^7,8.  Consequently, the level of DCI in tissues can decrease significantly.

On the contrary, the situation seems to be different in the ovary, where there is a deficiency of MI⁹.  Therefore, women experiencing PMOS have DCI deficiency at a systemic level and MI deficiency at the ovary level.

To tackle both deficiencies, varying combinations of MI and DCI have been researched.  For instance, a ratio 40:1 MI:DCI taken by healthy women resulted in better clinical results that the use of MI or DCI alone^10,11.

Interestingly, a clinical trial comparing the benefits of a MI:DCI ratio at 3.6:1 versus ratio 40:1 showed significantly better results in the MI:DCI 3.6:1 group with almost four times more live births than the 40:1 MI:DCI group¹².

Furthermore, a MI:DCI 3.6:1 ratio has multi-dimensional benefits to women with PMOS such as regularising menstrual cycles and improving insulin resistance, hormonal, glycaemic and lipid profiles, with considerable efficacy and tolerability^12-15.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of incredible change for women as their bodies prepare to nurture a new life.  A mother’s health becomes paramount as her well-being and that of her baby is intricately connected.

Emotional health is equally important during this time, as hormonal changes bring about a variety of feelings, from joy and excitement to anxiety and mood swings.

A strong support network is crucial to help expecting mothers navigate the changes and challenges with strength and confidence.

A well-balanced diet of good quality carbohydrates, proteins, specific fatty acids, vitamins and minerals is essential to support changes to the mother’s body and for optimal growth and development of the baby¹⁶.

It is also important that mothers are aware of the foods that must be avoided during pregnancy including unpasteurised dairy foods, soft cheeses, raw meat and fish and alcohol¹⁶.

Mothers’ diets have also been found to influence a baby’s health into adulthood, with good prenatal nutrition reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure in adulthood.

Interestingly, a study reported that up to 92% of pregnant women reported taking prenatal vitamins and/or other supplements¹⁷.

Some of the most popular supplements are folic acid, which is essential for preventing neural tube defects in the developing foetus and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is key for cognitive, eye and heart development.

Omega-3 DHA fatty acids are critical for the development of the baby’s brain and eyes, reduces the risk of preterm birth, supports maternal health and contributes to healthy birth weight.

Breastfeeding

From conception to their second birthday, babies’ first 1,000 days of life are a critical window for good nutrition and infant wellbeing.

During this time, a baby’s gut and immune system develop rapidly as they move from a protected environment to one exposed to many immune challenges.

Breastfeeding is a journey that fosters a unique bond between mother and baby.  Regarded as the gold standard of infant nutrition, it offers a host of extraordinary benefits for both mother and baby.

A nutrient-rich diet and good hydration is vital for breastfeeding mothers, especially for those who are exclusively breastfeeding as they generally need an extra 300 – 500kcal per day¹⁶.

However, it is important to understand that every mother’s situation is unique and breastfeeding comes with its own challenges, which means it isn’t always possible.

Acknowledging these challenges openly helps to create a more supportive environment that equips mothers with the tools they need to best care for themselves and their babies.

One of the main medical reasons for women stopping breastfeeding is mastitis.  According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), up to 30% of lactating women suffer from mastitis¹⁸.

Through extensive research, intake of a probiotic strain isolated from woman breastmilk, Lactobacillus fermentum CECT 5716, promoted breast health and comfort.

This, in turn, prevented premature cessation of breastfeeding due to pain, by reducing mastitis pain symptoms and the incidence or recurrence of mastitis^19-21.

Summary

Addressing fertility and health challenges for women requires a multifaceted approach that includes dietary and lifestyle modifications.

Emerging research underscores the powerful role of nutrition in managing the key drivers of PMOS.

Incorporating nutrient-rich foods, maintaining a balanced macronutrient intake and adopting sustainable dietary patterns can empower women to improve their fertility outcomes.

As science continues to advance, personalised nutrition strategies show promise for tailoring solutions to individual needs, offering hope for those navigating fertility challenges.

Supporting women on this journey is not just about dietary choices; it’s about fostering overall health and well-being for the future.

Women may be living longer, but the extra years are spent in poor health due to the disparity in women’s health research, data, care and investment.

The women’s health gap equates to 75 million years of life lost per year and can affect other areas of a woman’s life too- a woman will spend approximately nine years in poor health, negatively affecting her ability to be present and/or productive at home, in the workforce and in the community¹.

Addressing the gender health gap, while crucial for women, benefits everyone.

Investments in women’s health could add years to life and life to years, potentially boosting the global economy by 1 trillion USD annually by 2040¹.

In fact, for every $1 USD invested in women’s health, around $3 USD is projected in economic growth – a significant return on investment.

As more and more women prioritize their long-term wellbeing, they are seeking products that not only address immediate health concerns but support their quality of life at every stage.

Companies who empathise and understand women’s evolving health priorities are seen as more credible by these informed and empowered consumers.

The Hormonal Lifecycle

The hormone lifecycle represents a unique journey for every woman.  Beginning with menstruation and continuing into late age with menopause, it spans across a woman’s whole life.

Hormones are crucial for regulating various bodily processes, including appetite, metabolism, sleep cycles, reproductive cycles, sexual function, body temperature and mood.

Achieving the right hormone balance is essential for meeting women’s needs and maintaining their overall wellbeing.

50% of global female consumers state they are concerned about women’s health issues, such as menopause and hormonal imbalances, menstruation and fertility.

When it comes to health, 48% of women are prioritising hormonal balance².

Thanks to advances in medical research and more open dialogues, the link between hormonal imbalances in women and health problems such as mood swings, weight gain and reproductive issues is now more widely acknowledged.

Menstruation

The introduction of menstruation during adolescence is the beginning of the hormonal lifecycle and fertility.

Hormonal fluctuations of oestrogen, progesterone, luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) across an average of 28 days prepare the ovaries and uterus for pregnancy or menstruation.

The menstrual cycle (Figure 1) is divided into four phases: menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase.  Each phase has unique hormonal changes, physical symptoms, nutrient requirements and emotional states.

Figure 1. The Menstruation Cycle

For more information on nutritional and physical activity recommendations across the menstrual cycle see here.

Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)

PMOS is also the most common cause of female infertility.

Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), is a common hormonal disturbance affecting an estimated 6-13% of women of reproductive age³ and up to 70% of cases are undiagnosed.

PMOS is a female-specific endocrine disorder related to a deficiency of inositol, a type of sugar made by the body which aids in balancing chemicals that control blood sugar and fertility and specifically a systemic deficiency in the D-chiro-inositol and ovarian deficiency in Myo-inositol.

Symptoms of PMOS can differ from person to person but often include irregular or absent menstrual cycles, excessive hair growth on hair or body, acne and weight gain.

Lifestyle interventions such as physical activity and a balanced diet can improve some symptoms of PMOS.

A combination of Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol (3.6:1) has been shown to support the hormonal and metabolic balance in a woman’s reproductive cycle, promoting fertility and wellbeing, showing excellent clinical results with increased pregnancy rates, decreased miscarriage rates and improved live birth rates^4-7.

Menopause

For far too long, menopause was a topic shrouded in stigma and largely ignored by both society and the medical community.  This silence forced countless women to navigate this transition alone, often without the support or resources they needed.

‘The menopause lifecycle’ is the period of time from peri to post menopause.

• Perimenopause is the transition to menopause, typically lasting 3-7 years where menstrual periods become irregular and symptom onset occurs.
• Post-menopause is the time after a woman has gone without a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.  While symptoms typically last 4 years from their final period, women may spend up to 40% of their lifetime in their postmenopausal years ⁸.

Menopause describes the stage of a woman’s life when her menstrual periods stop permanently due most notably to a gradual decline in the hormone oestrogen.

Oestrogen is a hormone that regulate the growth, development and physiology of the human reproductive system and are also involved in the neuroendocrine, skeletal, adipogenesis and cardiovascular systems.

Oestrogen has a protective effect on bone density, as this hormone declines during and after menopause, there is an increased risk of osteoporosis.

It is therefore important that interventions such as high calcium diet and physical activity are part of a woman’s daily lifestyle habits to protect bone density and quality of life in later years.

Figure 2. The Mechanism of Action Behind Menopause Symptom Onset

With 1 billion women estimated to be experiencing menopause in 2025⁹ and 80% of these individuals experiencing symptoms¹⁰, menopause is more than just a women’s health issues: it’s a societal health issue with far-reaching impacts.

Given the more than 45 possible symptoms that can affect a woman’s physical, cognitive, mental and social wellbeing, there is an urgent need for effective and innovative solutions.

These advancements hold the potential to greatly enhance the quality of life for millions of women and their families worldwide.

The use of herbal, plant-based treatments for managing menopausal symptoms has gained popularity as many women seek natural alternatives, with 33% of consumers taking supplements to support their health through menopause.

As a traditional Ayurvedic ingredient, ashwagandha is a natural adaptogen that reduces the negative impacts of stress on the body by managing cortisol levels¹¹.

Ashwagandha supports cognitive health by alleviating stress, improving sleep quality, enhancing mood, amplifying energy levels and sharpening focus¹².

Research in this area has also shown that supplementation with ashwagandha has resulted in reduced invasive menopause symptoms, vascular dysfunction and bone turnover/resorption, as well as inflammation and oxidative stress associated with oestrogen deficiency in post-menopausal women¹³.

Phytoestrogens have also been found to have positive effects on menopause symptoms, reducing the frequency and intensity of hot flushes.  Phytoestrogens are plant-based compounds that mimic the effects of oestrogen in the body.

8-Prenylnaringenin (8-PN), one of the strongest known phytoestrogens, showed a 40% reduction in hot flashes and a 32% improvement in symptoms of nervousness, fatigue and excessive sweating, making it an effective solution for supporting menopausal and post-menopausal health.

Conclusion

Changes in hormones present unique female health challenges from menstruation to menopause, with almost 50% of women prioritising hormonal balance.

Menopause is one of the key stages in a woman’s hormonal lifecycle where significant changes occur, directly impacting an individual’s health.

Clinically supported, natural solutions that address symptom management present an opportunity for women to be supported throughout the hormonal lifecycle and for quality of life to be improved through dietary supplementation.

For more on women’s health, read our guide on the Unique Health and Nutritional Needs of Women.

People of all ages may experience loneliness.  However, older people, particularly those living alone, are especially vulnerable.

Loneliness and social isolation can negatively impact our mental and physical health (1), in part through adversely affecting behaviours like healthy eating and physical activity.

How Social Isolation Impacts Eating and Nutrition

Food and social interaction are deeply intertwined.  Food is often shared and represents a way of connecting with others: eating together at mealtimes, cooking for loved ones or feasting together during celebrations.

Social distancing means that these social aspects of eating have been temporarily removed for people living alone.  In addition, feelings of loneliness, reduced accessibility to food and changes to normal daily routines can pose nutritional challenges.

Research shows that social isolation and loneliness are associated with reduced appetite (2), lower food intake (3), reduced physical activity (4) and increased risk of under-nutrition among older people (5).

On the other hand, while under-consumption of food is more common in socially isolated older adults, some individuals may respond to isolation by using food as an emotional coping mechanism leading to overeating.

In addition to affecting how much we eat, isolation also appears to affect what we eat.

Socially isolated older adults consume fewer fruits and vegetables (4) and eating alone more frequently is associated with lower dietary variety (6).

Cooking for one may reduce the motivation to cook and enjoy a “proper meal” (7) and instead older adults may opt for quick, nutritionally incomplete meals like tea and toast.

Mitigating the Impact of Isolation on Health

It is imperative that we engage in healthy behaviours to mitigate the harmful effects of the physical inactivity and isolation that can accompany staying at home.

Eating well, particularly in combination with physical activity, can prevent malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies, improve our feelings of well-being, help preserve muscle mass, strength and mobility, promote gut health, support the immune system and lower the risk chronic illnesses and infectious diseases (8).

Tips for Eating Well During Social Isolation

1. Take steps to combat loneliness to help prevent the adverse effects on appetite and food intake.

• Connect virtually – make frequent telephone or video calls to family and friends
• Structure your day and your sleeping habits – having a daily routine can provide a sense or normality and control
• Keep busy – brainstorm tasks and activities you can do from home (exercising, gardening, reading, cleaning, crosswords etc.)

2. Maintain good eating habits

• Keep a regular meal pattern – this can provide structure to your day and can help to create awareness around how much and what you are eating
• Plan meals ahead of time, and try to include high protein foods, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables at each meal
• Mix it up – try to eat a variety of different food rather than sticking to the same meals each day

3. Stay motivated when cooking for one

• Have a virtual lunch or dinner date with a friend or family member
• Bulk cook easy-to-prepare, one-pot dishes like curries, stews and soups when you’re feeling energetic.  Freeze individual portions for days when you don’t feel motivated to cook.
• Keep a well-stocked food cupboard so that you always have some ingredients to hand to make a simple meal

4. Check in with your appetite and your food intake

• If you find your appetite is lower than normal and / or you are unintentionally losing weight, try eating small, nourishing snacks frequently (e.g. high protein drinks, yogurts, crackers and cheese, or dried fruit and nuts) and add extra calories to meals (e.g. add milk, skimmed milk powder or cream to soups and mashed potatoes, or use full fat dairy products)
• Include physical activity in your day 
• Speak to your doctor if you are worried or continue to lose weight

Adapting these Strategies to Improve Nutrition of Older Adults

For companies looking to adapt dietary strategies to improve nutrition of older adults, finding ways to increase dietary variety, nutritional density for smaller appetites, and frequent engagement can be key for success.

Sue McVie, who was Managing Director of Oakhouse Foods, outlined some ways she sees companies can bring the strategies from this article to life.

“Loneliness is a significant issue amongst the elderly consumer and can result in loss of appetite and poor nutrition.

From a nutritional perspective, we know that our customers’ appetites can be small. Some strategies that can be used to help maintain nutritional balance include more frequent, smaller portions like ‘mini-meals’ and ‘lighter bites’, as well as making sure there is a diverse range of foods offered to encourage dietary variety.”

Growth and development relies on good nutrition

Growing from a child into an adult involves much more than we can see with our own eyes. Kids are constantly growing taller and stronger, which we can see, but also developing their senses, cognitive capabilities, or their blood volume is expanding to fuel a growing body. All of these processes require nutrients to serve as building blocks or signals for growth. Calcium becomes part of growing bones, while zinc and iodine support development of the brain and nervous system, for example.

Generation Z has unique nutrition needs

Since children and adolescents are growing and developing so rapidly, they have demanding nutrient needs that are different from those of adults. Teenagers require up to 67% more daily iodine than children, and both children and teenagers have higher protein requirements relative to their body weight than many adults.

This white paper describes the unique nutrition needs of children and teenagers, and explores how to address these unique needs.

Download the full white paper for free here.

Read on…download the full paper for free here.

She had a sweet jar behind the television and always gave me two little hard candies, only two, but that just made my day.

The world changes so fast.  Nowadays, there are shops everywhere and treat foods are available and affordable.  With increased accessibility and frequency, you may wonder if a treat is still a ‘real’ treat for today’s children.

Very recently, a scientific study published in the journal Appetite mapped adults’ treat food provision to children.  This study surveyed over 1,000 adults, including not only parents, but also grandparents, school and pre-school teachers, and private child minders; almost everyone involved in child rearing, to answer the question what is considered a treat for today’s children?

What is a Treat to Children from Adults’ Perspectives?

So what is a treat?

According to the dictionary, a treat is “an event or item that is out of the ordinary and gives great pleasure”.  This definition mentions two key elements: low frequency and pleasure.

According to the study, adults’ definition of treats for children is slightly different.  They think treats for children are primarily something ‘nice’ (45.2%), ‘deserved/earned’ (35.1%) and ‘special’ (32.7%). It is worth noting that 17% of adults think that treats for children must be ‘healthy’.

When do Adults Give Treat Foods to Children?

The study shows that nearly all adults (92.0%) would provide treat foods to children at celebrations. Just think about those celebrative occasions, Easter, Halloween, Christmas, birthdays, weddings, the last day of school, the end of a sports season, the anniversary of a pet joining the family… the list goes on. It is easy to imagine that the totality of all these occasions can be huge for some children. Therefore, as some scholars suggest, the health impact of treat foods consumed at celebration should be well recognised.

In addition, around two thirds of the adults, especially parents, have routinized daily or weekly treat foods for children. It could be after-school treats, after-dinner treats, Friday treats, weekend treats and so on. Adults also provide treats for some particular reasons (see the figure below). Rewarding good behaviour and child’s requests are the two biggest triggers.

What Kind of Foods do Adults Use as Treats for Children?

In general, adults’ treat foods for children are dominated by less healthy options that come to mind when thinking of the word ‘treat’.

Sweets, chocolates, and ice cream/ice lollies are the most popular treats.  In comparison, some healthy foods including fruits, fruit juice, berries, and dried fruit are less likely used as treats for children.

For details of this study, please visit https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019566631830535X 

What Does This Study Mean?

From a consumer science and public health science point of view, this study leaves me with these key takeaways:

• For today’s children, treat foods have become normalised into their lives and are frequently included in their diets. It is not the same treat that previous generations would think of when they hear the word. It would be naïve to think, in modern society, that the use of treat foods can be avoided or dramatically reduced. Thus children related public health initiatives should not ignore treat foods.
• The popularity of ‘unhealthy’ foods as treats for children echoes a trend for indulgence observed at the IFT’s Food Expo: in some situations, consumers are not willing to give up the sensory pleasure for healthy purposes. Treat food occasions are such situations where for parents, and other child care providers, indulgence is more important than health concerns. Can a healthier alternative to sweets and chocolate become as appealing a treat to children? This is a good question that food innovators can possibly address.
• Since treat frequency seems to be increasing, it becomes more important to produce healthy treats to improve the health of children. This can include incorporating fruit and vegetable servings into treats, marketing healthier foods with a ‘treat’ perspective to improve perception of these foods, and reducing total calories and sugar in treat foods.

Infants and toddlers are rapidly growing and developing, and have unique nutrition needs as a result. Despite many products existing that target the health of infants and toddlers, there have been gaps in understanding which nutrients this age group needs more of in their diet. A study in the Journal of Nutrition helps improve understanding of nutrient intakes for children under 48 months old. Overall, the diets of infants and children are mostly adequate, but there are a few nutrients which could be increased in their diets.

Infants (0-12 months old)

Nutrient intakes of infants look excellent until table foods start to predominate the diet (around 12 months). As infants get closer to 1 year old, similarities to diets of adults begin to appear. Infants begin getting too much of sodium and not enough fiber, vitamin D, vitamin E. Almost 1 in 5 older infants (6-12 months) do not get enough iron. Many infants exceeded daily requirements for zinc and vitamin A. The authors mention part of this can be due to supplement use, but also that the dietary recommendations for vitamin A and Zinc may need to be revisited.

Toddlers (1-2 years old)

Toddlers do well when it comes to getting enough vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, and phosphorous. For children over 1 year of age, it appears to be difficult to meet vitamin D requirements without the use of a supplement. About half of toddlers were below the recommended daily vitamin E intake, and many exceeded sodium recommendations. For the most part, the trends seen in later infancy continue on into 1-2 years of age.

Preschoolers (2-4 years old)

Preschoolers typically get enough vitamin A, calcium, and iron despite these being nutrients of concern in later life stages like adolescence. Potassium, fiber, and vitamin D are still a challenge for children to consume enough of, which makes sense given these are nutrients US adults lack in their diets.

By targeting the specific nutrients this age group needs in diet recommendations and product formulation, we can help overcome dietary challenges that start at the beginning of life, but often continue into adulthood.

The study article includes full tables on nutrient intakes for younger infants, older infants, and toddlers.

Most of us eat do not eat enough wholegrains to get the health benefits from the whole range of nutrients they contain such as fiber, B vitamins, essential fatty acids, protein, antioxidants and other micronutrients with health benefits.  In a recent observational study, researchers measured associations between whole grain intake and health in children. The researchers found that higher whole grain consumption was associated with lower serum insulin (one of a few markers used to measure metabolic health) in the population of 8- to 11-y-old Danish children. Furthermore, whole grain oat intake was linked to improved measures of fat mass, systolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and serum insulin. In other words, whole grain oat consumption may protect cardiovascular health and decrease diabetes risk in children.

There are many challenges in getting kids to eat whole grains, such as taste and texture. Identifying innovative ways to deliver whole grain servings in convenient, tasty ways to kids becomes increasingly important as the evidence for health benefits piles up. Parents can also help their kids eat healthier through modeling behavior, which is discussed in our blog Turning Fussy Young Eaters into Foodies.

Nutrients to Achieve Linear Growth

Linear growth occurs throughout childhood and adolescence and is mostly seen as increase in height and muscle mass.  There are some periods of growth during this time that are particularly rapid.

If critical periods of growth are affected, such as by not providing enough energy or building blocks required by the body to fuel this growth, permanent stunting or lifelong low bone mineral density can occur.

The consequences can include lifelong increased risk of overweight/obesity and bone fractures.

An average 2-year-old boy’s height typically doubles and weight increases 5 times that of his starting weight by 20 years of age (CDC Growth Chart for Boys Age 2 to 20 years).

Protein and calories are building blocks that support rapid linear growth of muscle and tissues and also support healthy body composition (lean muscle versus body fat).

Providing adequate calories allows protein to be used for growing body tissues.  Getting too many calories leads to overweight and obesity, which persists in adult years.

More than three out of four obese kids grow up to be obese adults (Freedman, 2001).

Protein needs to be adequate in quantity as well as quality by providing the nine essential amino acid building blocks.  Dairy and egg protein sources are gold standards when it comes to protein quality.

Generally, animal and soy are complete proteins, but plant proteins can provide a complete complement of amino acids when paired appropriately.

Children and teens restricting animal protein foods need to be extra vigilant to consume foods that will help them meet their essential amino acid needs, as well as other nutrients present in animal foods (like calcium, iron, zinc and choline).

Calcium and vitamin D support linear bone growth and build bone density.  Up to 90% of peak bone density is achieved by 18-20 years of age (National Institute of Health, 2015).

For the rest of a person’s life, the body relies on bone as a reserve to draw on in times of need.  This means that if children and teens don’t consume enough calcium and vitamin D during this time of peak bone growth, they are at a higher risk of osteoporosis because less has been stored in the bone for use in later years.

Iron is an essential part of red blood cells that deliver oxygen throughout the body, including active muscles and the brain.  As the body grows, blood volume expands to keep pace.  Moreover, for adolescent girls, menstruation more than doubles demand for iron to replace blood losses.

Zinc is a metabolic facilitator supporting numerous processes associated with growth, sexual maturation, and immunity (Institute of Medicine, 2001; Caulfield, 2004).  In many regions of the world, both iron and zinc intakes are inadequate due to limited availability of food sources of these nutrients.

This is typically the case when meat availability is limited, since plant sources of iron and zinc are not as available to be absorbed by the body due to factors such as dietary inhibitors, like phytate (a so-called ‘anti-nutrient’ that binds minerals in the digestive tract), found in many plants.

Nutrients to Achieve Cognitive and Sensory Development

As with linear growth, nutrients serve as both structural building blocks and as regulating factors in developing cognitive and sensory systems.  Key nutrients are highlighted here, but many other nutrients are essential for health.

Iodine is required to synthesize hormones in the thyroid gland that are especially important for the developing brain.

Zinc is an essential facilitator for dozens reactions that regulate growth, so it is no surprise that zinc is involved in cognitive development.  Supplementation in high-risk young children is not supported by evidence for improving cognitive outcomes, so preventing deficiency is key (Gogia, 2012).

Iron plays a direct role in the nervous system.  Moreover, iron-deficiency is associated with fatigue and impaired immunity, which may affect school attendance and ability to perform at school.

Emphasising dietary sources of iron, managing dietary inhibitors, and selective fortification combined with disease management continue to be public health priorities.

Brain cells are enriched in a specific long-chain omega-3 fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).  The benefits of supplemental DHA among children and teens is being actively researched.

The brain is not the only part of the nervous system developing in early age. Our senses are also developing.  When it comes to vision, vitamin A is essential (Institute of Medicine, 2001).

 

The carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are present in the retina of the eye and in brain tissue where they may serve as important antioxidant protection.

Putting Nutrients into a Food Perspective

With so many nutrients critical for healthy growth and development, it may seem impossible to balance getting enough of each nutrient without too many calories.

However, keep two simple principles in mind.

• Provide a variety of nutrient-rich foods while limiting high caloric density foods.  For more specifics, the American Academy of Pediatrics provides a feeding guide with respect to foods, portions and daily amounts (Daniels 2015).
• Tailor foods for children and adolescents to their specific needs.  Plant foods can be modified to improve protein quality or processed to remove anti-nutrients, making vitamins and minerals more easily absorbed by our bodies. For example, different plant proteins can be mixed to create complementary proteins which contain all of the essential amino acids.  Techniques such as soaking, cooking, or fermenting can reduce the amount of anti-nutrients in plant foods.  The types of nutrients and amount we put into foods targeted to kids should reflect what their bodies’ need.  In the age of consumers seeking short ingredient lists, it is important to make sure vitamins and minerals do not become collateral damage.
• Help kids develop food preferences for a variety of foods.  Childhood is a key time to develop food preferences beyond those they are born with.  It can take between 6 to 15 exposures before preference increases, but children exposed to a variety of foods early in life retain a preference for these foods over time (Ventura, 2013).  Read our blog ‘Turning Fussy Young Eaters info Foodies’ for more on helping kids learn good eating behaviors.

As experts working in the food industry, we can make a positive impact on kids health by focusing on balancing cost with delivering key nutrients in low to moderate calorie forms, while helping kids explore and expand food preferences.