HEALTHY EATING FOR CHILDREN

Jun 07, 2018 Editorial

The aim of most if not all societies, is to prepare children for a bright future. During the period of their intellectual growth, development and advancement, children should not only be taught academia, technical and vocational skills, but also good moral values, principles and discipline, which are critical elements in shaping their character.
Technology, social media, peers and family members continue to play a major role in influencing the decisions of children. Adolescence is an exciting and somewhat challenging period in human development. Studies have shown that adolescents experience rapid growth and development that is noticeable in their physical and psychosocial health.
It is believed that this generation of children has matured earlier than past generations in their thinking, behaviour and emotional functioning, and is also more independent. Being accepted by friends and peers, and sharing opinions, are more important to most children these days than cherished family values.
Experts have contended that although such behaviour seems normal, it tends to create conflicts between teens and their parents or family members, and others in authority. Psychological changes from early to late adolescence have caused most teenagers to cast-off societal norms and family values as they become preoccupied with their body size, shape and image, as well as peer influence and their ability to think and reason.
Their independence has become more pronounced as they develop their own set of core values to guide moral and ethical decisions. While good nutrition is essential for their development in this period, their psychosocial development may positively or negatively impact their health choices.
In general, girls more than boys are obsessed with their bodies and the intense fear of seeing themselves as being overweight, even if they are not. This type of distorted body image has led many to restrict their calories intake by consuming little. They have avoided nutritious foods or even skip meals regularly as well as engaging in exercise for lengthy periods of time because of the fear of overweight. Their poor eating habits and weight control behaviours tend to impact their health, and in some cases, have contributed to eating disorders.
Example of an eating disorder is anorexia nervosa which is characterized by abnormal body weight. Another is bulimia nervosa which involves binge-eating episodes, self-induced vomiting, participating in excessive exercise, fasting and misuse of laxatives, among others. Whatever the case, eating disorders can affect the health of children, teens, and adults and would require medical advice.
Given all of the above, one can conclude that adolescents’ dietary intakes can vary due to several influencing factors, of which when carefully examined may not necessarily be the best. Generally, good dietary practices among this specific target population may be affected by skipping a meal or two, excessive exercise, and eating of snacks that are usually high in fat, sugar, and salt and greater consumption of sugary beverages.
Therefore to support growth and development, healthy eating habits are beneficial. Lower intake of calories can lead to potential risk for dental care, eating disorders, malnutrition and iron deficiency anemia.
Food nutritionists have contended that a balanced diet with adequate macro and micronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, protein, vitamins and minerals, and water) will help teens meet their daily nutritional requirements without gaining weight.
Parents should make good, healthy food choices available to them with a variety of nutritious and delicious snacks such as yogurt, fruit smoothies, milk shakes, vegetable pizza, crackers with peanut butter or cheese, sandwiches, etc. Fruits, vegetables, peas and beans, and foods from the staples should be added to the choices, along with adequate water intake.
Limiting the concentration of foods high in fat, sugar and salt will obviously be healthy for all, but most importantly, for the children.

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