Describe the growth curve of infants from birth to one year. Compare the energy needs of this age group with those of adults

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

A healthy infant's birthweight doubles by about 5 months of age and triples by 1 year, typically reaching 20 to 25 pounds. The infant's length changes more slowly than weight, increasing about 10 inches from birth to 1 year. By the end of the first year, infant growth slows considerably; during the second year, an infant typically gains less than 10 pounds and grows about 5 inches in length. At the age of 2, healthy children have attained approximately half of their adult height.

Not only do infants grow rapidly, but their energy requirement is remarkably high—about twice that of an adult, based on body weight. A newborn baby requires about 450 kcalories per day, whereas most adults require about 2000 kcalories per day. In terms of body weight, the difference is remarkable. Infants require about 100 kcalories per kilogram of body weight per day, whereas most adults need fewer than 40.