How to Calculate Nutritional Adequacy Rates for Your Little One

Children are said to be nutritionally adequate if their nutritional adequacy rate is between 90-119%. As a parent, you need to know this figure because adequate nutrition is needed to support growth and development. Come on, let's learn more about this nutritional adequacy figure.

Definition of Nutritional Adequacy Rate

Mothers often come across the term nutritional adequacy rate (or what is often called AKG) on food or drink packaging. So, what is meant by the AKG and do all children have the same number?

Quoting from the Regulations of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, the AKG is a value that shows the average need for certain nutrients that must be met every day. This figure is influenced by several factors such as age, gender, level of physical activity and physiological conditions.

The nutritional adequacy figure or commonly abbreviated as AKG is determined by looking at nutritional adequacy such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, water, vitamins and minerals from food, drink or supplement intake.

For adult Indonesians, the average AKG is 2,100 kcal per person per day. For children, of course the numbers are smaller. Ages 0-11 months, the RDA is between 500-800 kcal, while at ages 1-9 years, the figure is between 1,350-1,650 kcal.

The Importance of Understanding Nutritional Adequacy Rates

Why do we need to understand these nutritional requirements? As parents, we can find out how much our little one's body needs through the AKG. That way, we can arrange the right diet for him so that he is always healthy and fit.

According to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, the amount of intake and quality of food and drinks consumed will affect nutritional intake, individual and community health, especially for little ones. Optimal nutrition will have an impact on optimal growth and development as well.

Normal nutritional levels that are not met in the long term can increase health risks such as being susceptible to infections and diseases, heart problems and diabetes. In children, the risk of stunting will also be higher, resulting in children tending to be thin and short.

Calculating Nutritional Adequacy Rates

You need to know that the RDA given by official health agencies is the average figure for nutritional needs based on age group. This figure can be used as a benchmark for our and our little one's nutritional intake per day.

Let's take the example of calculating the AKG for children. The age range includes 4 age groups:

The 1-3 year old group requires 1350 kcal of energy with 215 grams of carbohydrates, 20 grams of protein and 45 grams of fat.
The 4-6 year group needs 1400 kcal with 220 grams of carbohydrates, 25 grams of protein and 50 grams of fat.
The 7-9 year group needs 1650 kcal with 250 grams of protein, 40 grams of protein and 55 grams of fat.
The 10-12 year group is further divided into two categories based on gender:
Boys need 2000 kcal with 300 grams of carbohydrates, 50 grams of protein and 65 grams of fat.
Girls need 1900 kcal with carbohydrate requirements of 280 grams, protein 55 grams and fat 65 grams.

So, one easy way to meet this nutritional adequacy figure is to provide growth milk in the form of Morinaga Chil School. At Morinaga Chil School, there are lots of nutrients designed to help fulfill nutritional needs for growth and development. Let's look at the nutritional content in it on the following page: Nutritional Benefits of Morinaga Chil School Content.