In the bustling world of toddlers, where playtime is non-stop, helping them grow strong muscles is super important. And guess what helps? Protein!

Build it with protein:

Protein is like the building blocks for every cell in your child's body. It's what helps the body to build and repair cells and tissues. Plus, it's crucial for building strong muscles, especially during those crucial growing years (1,2). So, from those wobbly first steps to the fearless leaps on the playground, make sure your child's muscles have the power to support their every move!

Muscle development during childhood: Why it is crucial.

The period of early childhood is characterized by continued rapid growth and development, particularly in muscle size and strength (3,4). Skeletal muscle is one of the largest tissues within the musculoskeletal system (5). Beyond its role in the movement, skeletal muscle serves as a crucial metabolic organ, playing a major role in overall health across the life-cycle. Its condition serves as an important marker of the nutritional status and function of an individual (6,7,8). Low muscle mass and strength could contribute to certain health issues during childhood. Therefore, it's vital to monitor muscle development from childhood through adolescence to ensure overall health and well-being (8).

Role of Protein:

Diet in early childhood plays a vital role in growth and development. Protein intake is particularly crucial because it provides essential amino acids required for muscle growth (9). Ensuring adequate protein intake in children is essential to prevent deficiencies such as Protein energy malnutrition, stunting, and support healthy growth (10,11,12). Muscle growth occurs when the production of protein exceeds its breakdown, creating a positive protein balance. A higher net balance leads to more muscle mass and lean body mass, which is important for long-term health (8).

Consequences of protein deficiency:

Insufficient protein levels can lead to various unfavourable outcomes, including (1,8,11,13):

  • Protein energy malnutrition
  • Stunted physical growth and developmental deficits 

How much Protein do children need?

In accordance with the guidelines from ICMR-NIN, the recommended nutritional needs for children are outlined as follows:

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References:

  1. Protein: Sources, deficiency, and requirements (no date) Medical News Today. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/196279#tips (Accessed: 24 April 2024). 
  2. Moro C, Covino J. Nutrition and growth: assessing the impact of regional nutritional intake on childhood development and metacarpal parameters. Anat Cell Biol. 2018 Mar;51(1):31-40. doi: 10.5115/acb.2018.51.1.31. Epub 2018 Mar 28. PMID: 29644108; PMCID: PMC5890015.
  3. Committee on Physical Activity and Physical Education in the School Environment; Food and Nutrition Board; Institute of Medicine; Kohl HW III, Cook HD, editors. Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2013 Oct 30. 3, Physical Activity and Physical Education: Relationship to Growth, Development, and Health. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK201497/.
  4. Apibantaweesakul S, Omura S, Qi W, Shiotani H, Evangelidis PE, Sado N, et al. Characteristics of inhomogeneous lower extremity growth and development in early childhood: A cross-sectional study. BMC Pediatrics. 2021 Dec;21(1). doi:10.1186/s12887-021-02998-1.
  5. Brotto M, Bonewald L. Bone and muscle: Interactions beyond mechanical. Bone. 2015 Nov;80:109-114. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2015.02.010. PMID: 26453500; PMCID: PMC4600532.
  6. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Military Nutrition Research. The Role of Protein and Amino Acids in Sustaining and Enhancing Performance. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1999. 6, Regulation of Muscle Mass and Function: Effects of Aging and Hormones. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224631/.
  7. Malgorzata Kołodziej, Kamila Czajka, Skeletal muscle quality in 6- and 7-y-old children assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis, Nutrition, Volume 96, 2022, 111568, ISSN 0899-9007, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2021.111568. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0899900721004305)
  8. Orsso CE, Tibaes JRB, Oliveira CLP, et al. Low muscle mass and strength in pediatrics patients: Why should we care?. Clin Nutr. 2019;38(5):2002-2015. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2019.04.012.
  9. Braun KV, Erler NS, Kiefte-de Jong JC, Jaddoe VW, van den Hooven EH, Franco OH, et al. Dietary intake of protein in early childhood is associated with growth trajectories between 1 and 9 years of age. The Journal of Nutrition. 2016 Nov;146(11):2361–7. doi:10.3945/jn.116.237164.
  10. Haimi M, Lerner A. Nutritional deficiencies in the pediatric age group in a multicultural developed country, Israel. World J Clin Cases. 2014 May 16;2(5):120-5. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v2.i5.120. PMID: 24868510; PMCID: PMC4023304.
  11. Tahmeed Ahmed, M Iqbal Hossain, Munirul Islam, AM Shamsir Ahmed, M Jobayer Chisti, 138 - Protein-energy Malnutrition in Children, Editor(s): Alan J. Magill, David R Hill, Tom Solomon, Edward T Ryan, Hunter's Tropical Medicine and Emerging Infectious Disease (Ninth Edition), W.B. Saunders, 2013, Pages 989-996, ISBN 9781416043904, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-4160-4390-4.00138 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781416043904001387).
  12. Hudson JL, Baum JI, Diaz EC, Børsheim E. Dietary Protein Requirements in Children: Methods for Consideration. Nutrients. 2021 May 5;13(5):1554. doi: 10.3390/nu13051554. PMID: 34063030; PMCID: PMC8147948.
  13. Semba RD. The Rise and Fall of Protein Malnutrition in Global Health. Ann Nutr Metab. 2016;69(2):79-88. doi: 10.1159/000449175. Epub 2016 Aug 30. PMID: 27576545; PMCID: PMC5114156.
  14. Recommended Dietary Allowance for children aged 1-3 years & 4-6 years; NIN-ICMR 2020