Improper nutrition and its impact on children's health

Modern lifestyle, full of quick snacks and fast food, significantly affects the health of children. Problems with the gastrointestinal tract are becoming more common, and they are the third most common after myopia and scoliosis. This is often caused by overindulgence in sugary carbonated drinks, potato chips and baked goods, which are becoming a staple in the diets of school and college students.

Metabolic problems such as obesity and diabetes mellitus result from excessive consumption of sweets. Constant consumption of chocolate bars and sweet drinks leads to a disruption in the normal functioning of the body, resulting in the production of excessive amounts of insulin. This creates the preconditions for the development of hyperinsulinemia and diabetes mellitus. An important signal for parents can be a sudden feeling of hunger in the child, as well as dizziness on an empty stomach, which indicates a possible drop in blood sugar levels.

However, a “quick” solution to the problem - a bun or chocolate bar eaten on the go - only exacerbates the situation and contributes to weight gain. Instead of normalizing sugar levels, such actions only strengthen the body's dependence on sweet foods. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the full nutrition of the child and try to avoid frequent snacking to prevent the development of obesity.

An important element in the diet of the child should be proteins and iron, which are necessary for normal growth and mental development. Sources of protein are milk, cottage cheese, eggs, meat and fish. It is worth noting that a vegetarian diet can be dangerous for the growing body, as it can lead to protein deficiency and related problems such as anemia and fainting spells in girls.

In order to prevent iron deficiency, it is important to choose meat products such as veal and liver as they contain more iron than processed sausages and sausages. Plant sources of iron, such as apples and apricots, are not as efficiently absorbed by the body and you need to consume them in huge quantities to prevent anemia, which is unlikely.

It's also worth remembering that calcium plays an important role in children's health, its deficiency can lead to problems such as osteoporosis, scoliosis and even tooth decay. Dairy products such as milk, cheese and cottage cheese are the main sources of calcium, so they should be in the diet of children every day.

Adolescence requires a special approach to nutrition. To avoid digestive problems, teenagers should eat dinner at least two hours before bedtime. The basis of dinner should be dairy and vegetable dishes, and meat and fish are better to give in the first half of the day. It is important to follow the dietary regimen, as well as to monitor the amount of fluid, especially if the child is engaged in sports or dancing.

Thus, proper nutrition is the key to the health of the child. Parents should pay attention not only to the quality of food, but also to its quantity in order to avoid the consequences of an improper diet, such as metabolic diseases and posture disorders.