A healthy child stands less of a chance of contacting disease such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and strokes when they get older than a malnutrition one. "Healthy eating in childhood and adolescence is important for proper growth and development and can prevent health problems such as obesity, dental caries, iron deficiency, and osteoporosis." (www.cdc.gov,2013)If a child eats the right amount of nutritious fruits and vegetables as well as whole-grains, and less fats and sodium, they are more likely to be healthy and happier. Children burns off a lot of energy by playing, riding bikes, running, and they need to be fed properly everyday. Parents need to limit the amount of sweets and sugary drinks and increase the amount of water that their child drink everyday. Schools should make sure that they are feeding kids healthy and nutritious foods and emphasizing the effects of healthy eating to kids and parents. Good nutrition is very important for maintaining a healthy rate and healthy growth as shown by my next paragraph.
"Chronic malnutrition has been a persistent problem for young children in sub-Saharan Africa. A high percentage of these children fail to reach the normal international standard height for their age; that is, they are "stunted." (Teller,2008). The region has now the world's highest rate of stunting among children—43 percent—and has shown little improvement over the past 15 years. This story shows that because of the fact that these kids are malnourished, they are not growing to the proper height and therefore are stunted. Poor nutrition can come from a number of factors from poverty to climate change to little or no education and access to nutritional education. Low income families are more likely to have more children that are malnourished because they do not have the means to by the proper food for their kids, that is where programs like WIC (women, infant, and children) comes in, it provides food that are both nutritious and healthy.
References
Nutrition facts retrieved on May 17, 2013 from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/nutrition/facts.htm
Teller, 2008. Reducing Child Malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa: Surveys Find ... retrieved on May 17, 2013 from www.prb.org/Articles/2008/stuntingssa.aspx
Hi Joanne,
ReplyDeleteI read this website also. I found it very interesting about how malnutrition can cause some many different problems with the growth of a young child. I agree with you about the fact that you stated children burn off many calories throughout the day. So if children are malnutrition then these children can’t have the energy to even have a childhood filled with fun. I would say that they are too weak, unable to be a happy child, and this is a sad thing to face as a parent.
In some cases, malnutrition is very mild and causes no symptoms. However, sometimes it can be so severe that the damage done to the body is permanent, even though you survive. I agree with your post we have some kids out here who struggle with obesity and are being teased by others and then there are kids who are suffering and wish they could have food to each on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteHi JoAnn,
ReplyDeleteNutrition is such an important topic in the world of preschool children. After all, without proper nutrition, the brain nor the body function correctly, therefore, children are not able to handle the day to day stressors of life. Some children maybe getting plenty to eat, but it is not the correct food to help their mental and physical growth. Sugary drinks, cookies, pies, and fast food help to contribute to the obesity rate in our society today. I see some people on food stamps who could truly feed their children wonderful meals, but they would rather buy junk food rather than fruits and vegetables. I feel it is important for teachers to try to educate young mothers and fathers about the importance of their children eating correctly.
Many third world countries to do not have the proper nutrition for their infants, but they still try to find ways to help keep their children healthy such as agencies who offer help in times of need.
Joyce Galloway
Great informational post Joann, and sadly when I think of malnutrition the first country that comes to my mind is Africa. A lot of times they do suffer because of the lack of resources and the lack of informational tools to help the families understand the severity of malnutrition. I do agree with Joyce also, a lot of times people that do have the means to buy the right food here in America, still dont buy the right things. Maybe they should be provided with more info on what it the best choices. Maybe, they should limit the foods that they can purchase with food stamps and that way it in a way forces them to eat healthy.
ReplyDeleteHi Joann,
ReplyDeleteGraet post!!! It is so sad the number of children who are suffering from malnutrition in this country and other countries. Lack of nutrition can have damaging effects on the growth and development of young children.
I agree with you about malnutrition affecting the children’s development. without enough food, The children will be tired and unable to concentrate and learn.
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