“Good Nutrition is a foundation of a child’s survival, health, and development”.
What are your insights on this quote?
I strongly agree that good nutrition is essential for a child's survival and development. Children who are properly fed are better equipped to grow, study, play, and contribute to their communities. Nutrition can also help provide the foundation for healthy eating habits and nutritional knowledge that children can use throughout their life. Children require appropriate nutrients to reach their full potential.
Poor nutrition can cause various nutritional deficiencies like vitamin A deficiency can lead to blindness thereby leading to disability. Vitamin D deficiency can manifest into rickets and untreated deficiency can lead to physical deformity impacting the development of a child. Not to forget, the most common micronutrient deficiency – iron deficiency leading to anemia – may negatively impact cognitive development. Undernutrition leading to wasting and stunting can significantly and poorly impact the development of a child.
Nutrients are important, but portion size matters too. How you cook and prepare foods can affect the nutritional value.
References:
Narula, (2021). Role Of Nutrition In Overall Early Childhood Development. Femina. Retrieved from https://www.femina.in/relationships/parenting/role-of-nutrition-in-overall-early-childhood-development-204769.html
Mana, (n.d.) The importance of Child Nutrition. Mana Medical Associates. Retrieved from https://www.mana.md/the-importance-of-child-nutrition/
Unicef, (n.d.) Nutrition. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/nutrition