Very active children need lots of energy and will need moderate amounts of fat in their diet to meet that need. What scientific studies are available do not indicate any increased need for vitamins and minerals in young athletes. Eating a well balanced diet is necessary to get the amount you need in their proper proportions. Besides calories, the other nutrient needed in greater amount by the young athlete is liquids. They are the most important part of an athlete's diet.
Fluid is important to prevent over heating and dehydration.
Because muscles heat up during exercise extra fluid is needed to maintain the blood volume so that the circulating fluid can reach into the muscles and carry the heat away to the skin. The heat is released by primarily by sweating . Sweating, without replacement fluids can lead to dehydration. More than any other nutritional factor, too little fluid can effect your young athlete. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of fluid imbalance.