“Good Nutrition is the foundation of a child’s survival, health, and development”.
I truly agree that good nutrition is indeed the foundation of a child’s survival, health, and development. Good nutrition during the first 2 years of life is extremely vital because it is a period of rapid growth and development. Babies usually double their length and triple their weight between birth and one year of age (Better Health Channel, n.d.). Offering nutritious foods will allow them to utilize the obtained energy for basal metabolic processes (e.g. thermoregulation, digestion, feeding, absorption, storage, and elimination) and unexpected increased energy utilization for pathological conditions. Good nutrition also means obtaining adequate macro- and micronutrients to support overall growth and prevent acquisition of diseases.
During infancy, the most important source of healthy nutrition is the mother’s milk. Breastmilk offers significant amounts of nutrients which include free water, protein, essential fatty acids, carbohydrates (lactose), vitamins, minerals, and trace elements (Infant Nutrition Council, n.d.). It also contains protective and immunological factors such as antibodies, cytokines, and chemical mediators (Better Health Channel, n.d.). All these are necessary to ensure that the infant is protected from short- and long-term illnesses and diseases (Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], n.d.). Even big institutions/organizations like the Department of Health (DOH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF advocate for exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months, even up to 2 years and beyond, for it truly offers gold and healthy nutrition for the baby. It is very unique as well in the sense that as the baby grows, the mother’s breast milk adjusts to ensure that the baby’s nutritional needs are met. After 6 months, complementary feeding starts. Feeding the baby with healthy solid foods complementarily with breast milk to accompany increasing nutritional and developmental needs can truly maximize the child’s survival, health, and development. Basic ingredient of complementary foods is usually the local staple. Staples are cereals, roots and starchy fruits that consist mainly of carbohydrates and provide energy (World Health Organization, n.d.). A variety of other foods should be added as well to provide for other nutrients the child requires. These foods may come from animals or fish for they are good sources of protein, iron and zinc. Egg yolk is also another good source of protein and vitamin A (World Health Organization, n.d.). Dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and milk are sources of calcium, energy, and B vitamins. Orange-coloured fruits and vegetables such as mango, papaya, carrot, and pumpkin; and green leaves like spinach are good sources of vitamin C. Peas, beans, lentils, peanuts, and soybeans are good sources of protein, and some iron as well (World Health Organization, n.d.).
From here, we can definitely see the importance of good nutrition not just for children but even for every stage of the human life cycle. They are extremely important to ensure that nutritional needs are met to be able to perform daily activities to the maximum of our capabilities, and to live our lives to the fullest while being free from any diseases. Promotion of good nutrition at a young age can therefore truly offer significant benefits later in life. That’s why, start early!
References:
Better Health Channel (n.d.). Food and your life stages. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/food-and-your-life-stages
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (n.d.). Infant and Toddler Nutrition. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/InfantandToddlerNutrition/index.html
Infant Nutrition Council (n.d.). Breastmilk Information. https://www.infantnutritioncouncil.com/breastmilk-information/
World Health Organization. (2009). Guiding principles for complementary feeding. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK148957/#:~:text=Complementary%20foods%20should%20provide%20sufficient,all%20his%20or%20her%20needs.