Nutrition in Children
The first few years of life are critical in children’s nutrition and their development. Poor nutrition along with poor development and poor health leads to children not reaching their full potential. It is well recognized that children who are malnourished do not learn well and have more social and emotional problems than those who are healthy and well nourished (Engle & Huffman, 2010). Health issues associated with inadequate nutrition include iron-deficiency anemia, under or overweight and dental caries. The prevalence of obesity among children is rising and has affected about 13.7 million children and adolescents in the United States (“Childhood Obesity Facts”, 2018). Common health consequences of obesity include heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. Healthy food choices have a strong impact on a child’s growth and adequate nutrition can help prevent future development of chronic diseases. As caregivers, it is important to promote nutrient dense foods and implement healthy eating habits. Feeding practices, early nutrition and development interventions depend on the knowledge, skills and capacity of caregivers to provide their young child with optimal care for development and nutrition (Hurley, Yousafzai, & Lopez-Boo, 2016). Essential nutrients needed for children are carbohydrates for energy, protein for building body tissue, calcium for strong and growing bones, and iron for making more red blood cells during periods of rapid growth. A balanced diet would include a variety of lean protein, fruits and vegetables. It is recommended to avoid highly processed foods or added sugars. Having good role models such as family members, teachers, and others in their lives who demonstrate healthy eating habits and physical activity behaviors will equip children to make good choices throughout life. Periodic monitoring of growth is important so along with your child’s doctor discuss your child’s weight and height to ensure they are growing at an appropriate rate. Overall, it is important to have patience, love and understanding when feeding children. Health professionals, families and the communities can work together to adequately educate ourselves, our children and improve overall wellness. For further assistance with portion sizes, children caloric needs, and nutrition education, here are some helpful resources:
Choosemyplate. gov
Nutrition.gov
CDC.gov/healthyschools
Health.gov for the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines.
References
Childhood Obesity Facts. Overweight & Obesity. CDC. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html
Engle, P., & Huffman, S. L. (2010). Growing Children’s Bodies and Minds: Maximizing Child Nutrition and Development. Food and Nutrition Bulletin,31, S186–S197. https://doi.org/10.1177/15648265100312S211
Hurley, K. M., Yousafzai, A. K., & Lopez-Boo, F. (2016). Early Child Development and Nutrition: A Review of the Benefits and Challenges of Implementing Integrated Interventions. Advances in Nutrition, 7(2), 357–363. doi:10.3945/an.115.010363
