Lipids in the diet of children and adolescents

Lipids are a macronutrient of multiple importance for adequate growth and development, as well as maintaining health in other phases of life. In addition to being, along with carbohydrates, the main source of calories, lipids are an indispensable structural and functional constituent of the human body. Their intake must be complete and adjusted to optimal needs, which differ in quantitative terms during different phases of growth and development. Of particular importance is the coverage of the needs for essential and semi-essential fatty acids, as well as strict adherence to the upper limit of the permissible intake of saturated fatty acids, cholesterol and trans fatty acids.