At the 2021 Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit, global stakeholders committed to ending hunger and all forms of malnutrition by 2030. The African Union designated 2022 as the ‘Year of Nutrition’ because, in comparison to the rest of the world, malnutrition remains high in Africa and is the cause of almost half of children’s deaths in the continent. The African Union indicates the need to prioritise better nutrition and health for Africa’s citizens – especially the children.
It has been said that the long-term vitality of a nation depends on the wellbeing of its children. Children are influenced by their caretakers, especially when it comes to their eating habits. This is why it is very important to start teaching children to eat healthily from a young age. If a child’s nutrition is deficient, it threatens their short and long-term wellbeing.
WHAT ROLE DO PARENTS PLAY IN HELPING CHILDREN INITIATE HEALTHY HABITS?
Parents play a significant role in enforcing healthy habits in children. The daily recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for school children wavers between 1200-1500 calories per day. Parents should make sure that children are consuming the required amount of daily nutrients to keep healthy. Parents must help children make healthy eating options by making fruits and vegetables available to them, rather than processed snacks, that are high in saturated fats, and sugary drinks. Instead, parents can prepare a nutritious breakfast for their children. Eating breakfast helps to balance children’s energy levels throughout the day and prevents them from overeating. In addition, rewarding children, when they try something healthy for the first time, helps to keep them motivated.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING HEALTHY EATING HABITS?
A balanced diet is essential for a child’s physical and cognitive development. If a child does not intake the essential minerals, vitamins, and proteins, they are at a greater risk of contracting diseases. Another benefit of having healthy eating habits is that they can help children to excel in school. Children are more concentrated at school when they have eaten properly. Furthermore, their problem-solving skills also become better. Ultimately, learning how to make healthier choices will help a child throughout their life, as the habits that one acquires as a child become the basis of their choices as adults.
WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN THAT ARE PICKY EATERS?
Studies have shown that over 50% of children are picky eaters. Some children have an issue with the texture, the smell, or the taste of certain foods. It is important not to force children to eat something they do not want to eat. Supporting children’s independence in trying new foods is more effective than pressuring children to eat. Repeated exposure to healthy food matters because it is often the case that the child needs to adapt to certain foods. Changing a child’s eating habits is not an overnight task. It will take time for a child to change their habits, so parents need to persevere.
In conclusion
When a child gets the right nutrition, their overall health and well-being are boosted. Childhood habits extend into adulthood, and this is why it is important to adopt good habits early on. As adults, we subconsciously follow habits that have been formed since our early years. It is therefore essential for parents to teach children healthy eating habits from a young age to reduce health risks later on.
