In 2011 16.7 million children lived in food-insecure households, about 35% more than 2007 levels, though only 1.1% of U.S. children, or 845,000, saw reduced food intake or disrupted eating patterns at some point during the year, and most cases were not chronic.
Following graduation from medical school, primary care pediatricians complete three years of education in an accredited pediatric residency program. Pediatric residency training emphasizes care of the whole infant, child, adolescent, and young adult.
The pediatrician, a term that includes primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists, understands this constantly changing functional status of his or her patientsâ incident to growth and development and the consequent changing standards of ânormalâ for age.