Is Healthy Eating Necessary for Kids?

Article written by Christine Arulappen.

Children growing up in the 21st century have unlimited food choices. Just wandering around food courts and supermarkets makes you realise just how many different options we have. A variety of different cuisines from all over the world to an array of ingredients and products are available. Many products nowadays are specifically designed to meet the demand for healthier options. But what is a healthy food, anyway? And how should we be feeding our kids?

Children are growing and developing bones, teeth, muscles and blood which all require the right proportion of nutritious food according to their age and size.³ So to support their growing and developing bodies’ children have increased demand for certain macro and micronutrients such as protein, calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin D, along with many others.³

So are our kids eating the right foods to meet these requirements?

Recent data available suggests that children prefer higher calorie “energy dense” foods compared to those that are richer in nutrients. The recent Continuing Survey of Food intakes by individuals revealed that children consume inadequate amounts of vegetables.⁴ The humble potato mainly consumed in a fried form was preferred over green leafy vegetables.⁴ In the past 20 years, research reveals that children now prefer drinking soft drinks instead of water and other fluids.⁴

But why should our kids eat a healthy diet anyway?

Obesity during childhood often results from poor eating and lifestyle habits and can continue into adulthood (for further information on childhood obesity read our article Childhood Obesity – A Growing Epidemic). A lifetime of poor eating habits leads to a number of chronic (long-term) diseases.³ Chronic lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, certain cancers and type 2 diabetes develop gradually and often silently over the years. In some cases signs and symptoms may not be obvious until the condition becomes quite serious. Chronic diseases also pose significant economic burdens to individuals, families and communities.

It is estimated that the medical cost of people with chronic diseases accounts for about 75% of the United States $2 trillion dollar total medical care bill.¹ A healthy diet for your child not only helps prevent disease and support their growth and development but it is also very important to:

Help build a strong immune system to prevent coughs and colds²
Improve concentration and learning at school²
Boost overall energy levels for work and play²
Support the growth of shiny healthy skin, hair and nails that may help boost self-esteem²

There are so many benefits when you establish healthy eating habits during childhood and adolescence. As parents you are critical role models. In the following article we look at the healthy eating guidelines for children.

References

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008. Chronic Disease Overview [Online]. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/NCCdphp/overview.htm [Assessed 26th June 2009].
Kelly, Lorraine and Norris, Carina, 2007. Lorraine Kelly’s Junk-Free Children’s Eating Plan. Virgin Books, London.
Mahan, Kathleen L., Escott-Stump, Sylvia, 2004. Krause’s Food, Nutrition, & Diet Therapy (11th edition). W B Saunders Co, USA.
Wilkinson Enns, Cecilia et al, 2002. Trends in Food and nutrition intake in children in the United States [Online]. Available at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EUB/is_2_14/ai_101939890/pg_5/?tag=content;col1 [Assessed 26th June 2009].

Last updated 06 August 2009