ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the normal pattern of growth during infancy, childhood and adolescence. Early childhood and adolescence is recognised as a critical period in child development, which encompasses physical, cognitive, social and emotional health. Nutrition is integral to this development. In infancy and early childhood, parents and caregivers are primarily responsible for nutrition but as children get older they have increasing autonomy or control over their food preferences and food choices. During infancy there is a rapid rate of physical growth and development. Childhood typically describes the time period between infancy and adolescence. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines adolescence as the period between ten and nineteen years. During childhood, the rate of growth (height and weight) is relatively steady and linear until adolescence. Breastfeeding is the physiological norm for infants and there is overwhelming evidence to support breastfeeding over artificial feeding in most instances.
