It also examines factors that influence children's dietary intakes. For a wide variety of reasons most children are not receiving the nutrients that they need in their typical diets. In addition recommended levels of nutrients are based on the ideal healthy child. Scientific studies have confirmed that the body needs increased nutritional support during periods of stress, when there are identified health problems, and when children are on special diets or receiving medications. In 1995 the American Dietetic Association presented this position paper on phytochemicals and functional foods, a position that was then reaffirmed in 1997.
Phytochemicals are food components that are derived from plant foods.
Functional foods are defined as any modified food or food ingredient that may provide a health benefit beyond the traditional nutrients it contains. This paper describes their research rationale and differences between consuming these nutrients as part of the diet or in supplement form. The role and responsibility of dietitians in this new area is suggested. This extensive report by the Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility describes and delineates the interaction between environmental chemicals and child development. Normal brain development and developmental toxicology are discussed in detail along with known and suspected developmental neurotoxicants.