I want a healthy child. What does that mean?

Let’s start with the basics.

What does healthy mean?

Healthy means, a body that is in a good physical or mental condition. Has no infection or disease as well indicating good physical and emotional growth.

What is malnutrition?

Malnutrition occurs when a person gets too few or too many nutrients, resulting in health problems. Specifically, it is "a deficiency, excess, or imbalance of energy, protein and other nutrients" which adversely affects the body's tissues and form. In short, malnutrition means undernutrition as well as overnutrition.

Thus, one of the most important factors in your child’s development is their nutrition. Nutrition impacts children in more ways than you can think of. Today, children are subject to an imbalance of nutrients. They consume fats, sugars and salt in excess while the intake of proteins, vitamins and minerals is compromised. An Inappropriate diet can harm your child's health.

Foods that have additives like artificial colours and flavours, preservatives, sugar and bad fats, can decrease focus and slow down the thought process. These foods intensify the bouts of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), increase dyslexia, reduce concentration, increase dysgraphia and hamper visual sensations.

Let’s see what can be prevented.

1. Childhood obesity

High intake of nutritionally poor foods causes obesity leading to long-term diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cancer.

2. Dental caries, muscle cramps

Early Childhood Tooth Decay (ECTD), malformed bones (e.g., knock knees and bow knees) and regular muscle cramps are the most common repercussions of foods low in calcium and magnesium and increased consumption of simple carbohydrates.

3. Impaired growth

The rate at which the nutrients are absorbed and utilized in a young child is very high. Inadequate care in planning their diet can impair their growth. Their muscle strength so does the development of their bones and teeth. Hence, it is imperative to provide them with the right quantity of the required nutrients in each meal. Nutrients like essential fatty acids, proteins of high biological value, calcium-magnesium-rich foods, fat and water-soluble vitamins, and iron play a crucial role in aiding optimum growth.

4. Poor memory and cognitive skills

Toddlerhood is a time of rapid brain development when the brain develops the capacity to learn and builds cognitive skills (working memory and attention). This requires specific nutrients like choline, folic acid, iron, zinc, copper, iodine, selenium, vitamin A and some special fats.

Furthermore, children who eat poorly are more likely to develop certain long-term health problems and complications, including:

• Osteoporosis in later life.

• Cardiovascular diseases. Growing up eating foods high in fat, sugar, and salt can increase the risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis as an adult.

• Breathing problems, such as asthma.

• Early puberty.

• Gallstones.

• Hip development problems (slipped capital femoral epiphysis).

• Liver problems.

• Polycystic ovary syndrome.

• Type 2 diabetes, which in children is linked to being overweight, being physically inactive, and having a family history of type 2 diabetes.

Recent studies show a drastic increase in early puberty. An unhealthy diet and lifestyle can lead to early puberty in kids.

• An unhealthy diet can cause obesity, which can alter hormone levels and trigger early puberty in girls. Obesity can also increase the risk of other health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and eating disorders.

• An unhealthy diet can also include high amounts of animal protein, which can stimulate the production of reproductive hormones and cause earlier menarche (the first menstrual period) in girls.

• An unhealthy lifestyle can involve stress, which can affect the brain and the pituitary gland, which regulate the onset of puberty. Stress can be caused by various factors such as family problems, peer pressure, academic pressure, or trauma.

• An unhealthy lifestyle can also include a lack of physical activity, which can contribute to obesity and affect hormone levels. Physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight, improve mood, and prevent chronic diseases.

These are some of the ways that an unhealthy diet and lifestyle can lead to early puberty in kids. Early puberty can have negative effects on the physical and mental health of children, such as increased risk of cancer, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and social problems. Therefore, it is important to adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle for yourself and your children.

To conclude, for a healthy child, early intervention of parents in their child’s diet can stop malnutrition and its adverse effects on children. Children too need to be educated about health, nutrition and lifestyle from a very young age.

A good start would be practicing healthy eating at home and leading by example as kids tend to imitate us, adults. Secondly, parents should let kids plant their own crops and involve them in age-appropriate cooking activities. This shall increase a child’s inquisitiveness regarding nutrition as well as make them aware of different tastes. This in return will broaden a child’s palette and let them not be fussy eaters.

-Hanova Parabia