In early childhood, children often eat _____ because of changes in the rate of growth.

• A. Less food overall
• B. Fewer salty foods
• C. More than during infancy
• D. Bigger breakfasts

Answer: (A)

As growth slows after infancy, a child’s daily energy needs decrease. Appetite and food intake tend to track those energy requirements, so kids in early childhood generally eat less total food than they did during infancy. This shift reflects the body's adjusted pace of growth and energy demand, rather than a need for bigger or more meals. The other possibilities don’t align with the pattern driven by slower growth—energy needs aren’t higher than in infancy, and there isn’t an automatic move toward bigger breakfasts or specifically saltier foods.