There are at least one in three children under 5 who suffers stunting, wasting, and being overweight due to malnutrition. Stunted children are too short for their age and may never reach their full cognitive capacity, which has a direct impact on their ability to participate effectively in their societies. Children who suffer from wasting have a reduced quality of life, which is reflected by their extremely thin bodies and compromised immune systems, putting them at a higher risk of death, needing rapid medical attention in order to survive. There is also a rise of children affected by overweight because of a concerning consumption of processed foods. Hidden hunger, on the other hand, happens when children become deficient in essential vitamins and minerals (UNICEF, 2021).
Proper nutrition aid in the maintenance of a healthy immune system, which in turn is a big part of disease prevention. It significantly lowers the likelihood of developing chronic disorders, such as obesity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). It goes without saying that children are always up for new adventures and discoveries that require a lot of energy (Creative Healthy Family, 2018), and our body heavily relies on the foods and drinks that we consume (Perea, 2020). Carbohydrates, protein, and lipids are the three primary energy sources, with carbohydrates being the most important because they digest slowly and provide long-lasting energy (Rodriguez, 2012). It is also critical for parents to teach their children the importance of proper nutrition, this will help and encourage children to develop healthy eating habits at a young age. (Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas, 2018). Children's brains rapidly develop during childhood, demanding a nutrient-rich diet in order for them to develop higher mental functions such as attention, memory, learning, and perception, which they could struggle with when they are older if they haven't had enough nutrition early on. As a result, dietary deficiencies can adversely impact cognitive development (Graham, 2016).
It is true, good nutrition plays a very significant role in a child’s life. In fact, good nutrition is very vital at every age. Humans develop through stages, and the changes that happen in the human body are very sensitive to the kind of nutrition a person receives. However, childhood is one of the most critical stages in a person’s life and good nutrition is important for growing bodies. The child’s health, wellbeing, and development are very dependent on their first five years. And it is during this time that the majority of people's physical and mental skills are established.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Poor Nutrition. Retrieved February 21, 2022, from https://bit.ly/3sWqGFl
Creative Healthy Family. (2018, August 7). 3 Fascinating Reasons Why Kids Have So Much Energy. Retrieved February 21, 2022, from Creative Healthy Family website: https://bit.ly/34V7n7i
Graham, J. (2016, November). Nutrition and Health in Children and the Role of the Healthcare Worker. Retrieved February 21, 2022, from Ausmed.com website: https://bit.ly/3LSxdcI
Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas. (2018, March 16). The Importance of Child Nutrition. Retrieved February 21, 2022, from Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas website: https://bit.ly/3BCttHL
Perea, Y. (2020, November 5). Good nutrition - 5 Reasons why it is so important | Perea Clinic | London. Retrieved February 21, 2022, from Perea Clinic website: https://bit.ly/3BDpAlO
Rodriguez, D. (2012, November 16). A Diet for Better Energy - Diet and Nutrition Center - EverydayHealth.com. Retrieved February 21, 2022, from EverydayHealth.com website: https://bit.ly/3p4v6sR
UNICEF. (2021). Nutrition. Retrieved February 21, 2022, from Unicef.org website: https://uni.cf/3s72JMv
Why The First 5 Years of Child Development Are So Important. (2018, September 25). Retrieved February 21, 2022, from Child Abuse Prevention, Treatment & Welfare Services | Children’s Bureau website: https://bit.ly/3s5dtL5