CHILDHOOD FATS REQUIREMENT

CHILDHOOD FATS REQUIREMENT

Whereas carbohydrates are readily available source of energy, fats constitute concentrated energy-giving element, thereby enhancing the calories without much increase in bulk. The minimal requirement are not accurately defined. Usually up to 30 % of total energy should be from fats (3.5 % of calories should be supplied by linoleic acid and 0.3 % from linolenic acid). Since human body is incapable of synthesizing this acid, it has got to be supplied in diet. Its deficiency in infants causes dryness and thickening of the skin with desquamation and intertrigo.

Important lipids are: triglycerides (fats and oils), Phospholopids (lecithin) and sterols (cholesterol).

Depending on the length of the carbon, fatty acid may be

1. Short-chained
2. Medium-chained
3. Long-chained

               Depending on the saturation, triglycerides may be

4. Saturated
5. Unsaturated: Monounsaturated and polyunsaturateds.

Saturated fatty acids are obtained from meat and coconut oil. Human body can also produce it from carbohydrates and proteins.

Unsaturated fatty acids are obtained from vegetables, nuts and seeds. Whereas monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) such as oleic acid may also be produced by the body, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), also called essential fatty acids (EFA), must be provided by the dietary sources. PUFA consists of omega-6 fatty acids (lenoleic acid, arachiodinic acid) present in normal balanced diet and omega-3 fatty acids  e.g. linolenic acid, eicosapentanoic acid(EPA) and docaosahexaenoic acid(DHA) which are present in fish and sea foods.

Lecithin is a major component of cell membrane. It is synthesized by the  liver.

Though cholesterol, an important component of cell membrane, may be produced by the human liver, its dietary sources include animal fats (egg, meat especially kidney and liver, cheese, ghee). It may be transformed to hormones, vitamin D and bile. The daily intake of cholesterol should not exceed 250-300 mg/day.