Final answer:
The recommended amount of caffeine for children aged 5-12 is minimal, and health guidelines emphasize limiting caffeine intake for this age group. The most conservative option and closest to health recommendations is 1 mg/kg (Option B), though this is not an established guideline.
Step-by-step explanation:
The recommended amount of caffeine for healthy children aged 5-12 years of age is generally advised to be minimal. Considering that caffeine has significant effects on central nervous system stimulation and metabolic rate, a conservative approach is preferred for younger children. Current health guidelines do not provide a specific value for this age group, but emphasize the importance of limiting caffeine intake due to potential risks such as disrupted sleep patterns and increased heart rate. For instance, studies have suggested that even moderate doses of caffeine can improve athletic performance in adults, which indicates the potential for physiological impact. In light of these facts, the closest answer option provided that reflects health recommendations would likely be the most conservative one, which is 1 mg/kg (Option B). However, please note that this is not an established guideline and parental discretion alongside professional medical advice is strongly encouraged when it comes to children's caffeine consumption.