6 Health Issues Related to Kids’ Diet
Posted by: Dr. Sears LEAN Team on December 13, 2011
There are countless health problems that can be linked to dietary habits. In the United States, these six health conditions have been specifically connected to diet. As parents, it’s important to know these six conditions so you can help prevent your child from ever having to experience them!
Iron Deficiency: Iron deficiency anemia can occur at any age. As an infant, a child can be prevented from becoming iron deficient by consuming an iron-fortified formula and an iron-fortified cereal at six months of age. After infancy, a single portion of poultry, fish or red meat per day can help prevent iron deficiency.
Obesity: Obesity is among the most common nutritional problems in kids. Know that fat has twice as many calories per portions as an equal amount of sugar or protein has. You can make a big dent in your child’s total calorie intake by limiting fatty foods. But remember that children younger than two years old should not be on a low-fat diet, as they need fat for brain development!
Tooth Decay: Tooth decay in children is caused by an excessive intake of sticky sugars, or poor brushing habits. Make sure to supervise the amount of sugar you child is consuming, and make sure they know how to properly brush their teeth!
Constipation: Constipation among kids is caused when they are not getting enough fiber. Low fiber intake can also cause appendicitis and gall stones. So be sure to include enough fiber in your child’s diet! Good sources include grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Coronary Artery Disease: This heath problem tends to occur later in life, but can be easily prevented in childhood. Diets high in animal fats, like cholesterol and saturated fats worsen coronary artery disease, so feed children healthy amounts of meat.
High Blood Pressure: Again, this usually shows up later in life, but is something to keep in mind with your child’s diet. High blood pressure has been linked to high-salt intake. However, this link is only found in susceptible individuals, as salt in moderation is usually fine for most people. If your family has a history of high blood pressure, keep an eye on your child’s salt intake.
2 comments for “6 Health Issues Related to Kids’ Diet”
adminLori, Thank you for the comment. In response, you are correct that children should absolutely be encouraged to eat more fruits and vegetables. However, protein is very important for growing children to help them develop and mature. There are many good sources of protein including meat, and that's why it is so important to follow Dr. Sears advice to always consider the Quality of the food, not only just the Quantity. Trans-fats found in many foods can also contribute to coronary artery disease, so those foods should be eaten in moderation as well. Dr. Sears encourages everyone to choose meats that are lean, have limited processing, and are high in other nutrients. For example, wild Salmon is a wonderful meat protein that also contains high amounts of Omega 3's which are great for growing children and adults. The bottom line is,try to decrease the amounts of unhealthy proteins and trans-fats and replace them with quality, nutrition packed foods. You can read more about choosing quality foods and Traffic Light Eating at http://www.drsearslean.com/resources/healthy-tips/nutrition/Lori Ann Cammllarie
This heath problem tends to occur later in life, but can be easily prevented in childhood. Diets high in animal fats, like cholesterol and saturated fats worsen coronary artery disease, so feed children healthy amounts of meat. This is conflicting to me. The first part to avoid animal fats, but second part to feed children healthy amounts of meat? How much is the definition of 'healthy amounts'? Since its only animal based food that can cause plaque build up, doesn't it make sense to eat very minimal to none of these foods? Children are developing the beginning stages of hardening of the arteries at around 12 now, this is alarming!
