Importance Of Knowing The Right Nutrition For Kids

From general health to obesity and disease prevention, knowing the right nutrition for kids is important on several fronts. Children may be picky eaters who prefer sugary snacks and fast food to healthier foods, such as vegetables and lean meats. But their attitudes toward food may be even less healthy than you thought; in a 2010 Texas State University study, one in 98 children interviewed reported having recently eaten a dark green vegetable.

Childhood Obesity Epidemic

Good nutrition can help prevent obesity. "Star City News" reported on a study by the World Health Organization, the rate of obesity in pre-schoolers has risen 60 percent since the 1990s, while 43 percent of children worldwide are overweight. Such obesity can lead to myriad health concerns and diseases, and is often caused by children who aren't provided a nutritious diet.

Risk of Heart Disease

Childhood obesity resulting from improper nutrition can cause frightening heart-related issues. A study by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation noted extra stiffness in the aortas of obese children. Such symptoms in the aorta -- the large heart artery that provides oxygenated blood to the entire body -- are usually a symptom found in older patients. Besides being an immediate danger, children with early heart problems are more likely to develop serious complications later int life.

Other Risks of Childhood Obesity

Diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure are other symptoms of obesity. High blood pressure can result from a child eating too many foods high in sodium, such as prepared meats, potato chips and other salty items.

Digital Journal reports that a 2010 study published in the journal "Pediatrics" concluded that there's a relationship between the common cold virus and childhood obesity, so proper nutrition may not necessarily be the cause of your child's added weight. But it often plays a major role.

Social Stigma

Knowing proper nutrition will also benefit your children in a social context. Med Page Today reports that a Harvard Medical School study that found obese children are more than twice as likely to suffer from bullying than children who aren't obese.

In the study, parents of obese kids said their top worry was that their children would be bullied. By passing along the right nutritional information to your kids, they may avoid the social stigmas that come with being overweight.

Overcoming Outside Influence

According to a study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, reported by Science Daily, the correlation between the eating habits of children and their parents is relatively weak. Rather, their eating habits often reflect what they see on TV and among peers, the study found.

This, however, may be viewed as another reason to teach proper nutrition to your children; the study didn't reveal how many of the parents studied were actively attempting to educate their children about nutrition. By doing so diligently, you may help them avoid the temptation to happily chomp down on whatever they see their friends eating, as many of their peers reportedly are doing.