When a child appears tired, sluggish, weak or irritable, he may be displaying signs of more than just a need for a nap or snack. Symptoms such as fatigue and physical weakness could be signs of a lack of vitamins and minerals in a child's diet. While the symptoms of a vitamin deficiency can be draining, the good news is that the symptoms usually can be corrected naturally by improving a child's diet.
Anemia
If your child is overcome by fatigue and physical weakness or displaying symptoms such as irritability, pale skin or eyes or shortness of breath, it could be a sign that he is suffering from anemia. Also known as iron deficiency, anemia, which results from a lack of iron in the bloodstream, limits the body's red blood cell count. Without a sufficient supply of red blood cells, the body lacks energy and strength to perform normal, everyday tasks. Left untreated for an extended period of time, anemia can stunt a child's physical and motor development. Children and adolescents are at a higher risk for anemia, since their bodies are growing at a rapid rate and absorb more iron.
Treating Anemia
While the effects of anemia can be severe, the treatment of anemia often begins with some very simple dietary changes. Eating a balanced diet high in iron, as well as other vitamins and minerals, often can correct an iron deficiency. Foods such as fish, poultry, beef, egg yolks, beans, green vegetables and whole-grain breads offer rich sources of iron. Dietary supplements such as vitamin C or iron supplements can help the body more efficiently absorb iron if dieting alone is not enough to treat a case of anemia.
Calcium Deficiency
In much the same way as an iron deficiency, a lack of calcium can cause a child to exhibit physical weakness and stunted growth. Calcium, like iron, is vital to the growth of children and adolescents, whose bone structures and skeletal tissues are growing rapidly. Calcium helps bones grow and stay strong, controls muscle and nerve functions and regulates blood pressure. However, when the body lacks calcium, bones become sore and brittle, posture sags and appetite wanes. These symptoms are especially dangerous among rapidly growing adolescents, whose daily requirement of 1,300 milligrams of calcium is 30 percent more than the average adult.
Treating Calcium Deficiency
Most children can avoid a calcium deficiency simply by eating a balanced diet that includes dairy products, vegetables and lean meats. Dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese are the most commonly consumed sources of calcium, offering about 200 mg of calcium per serving. Fish also packs plenty of calcium, with a standard serving of salmon providing about 400 mg of calcium; leafy, green vegetables also are high in calcium, just as they are in iron. If diet alone does not deliver enough calcium to keep a child's heart and body strong, a doctor may prescribe calcium supplements.
References
- National Institutes of Health; Iron Deficiency Anemia - Children; March 2010
- "The New York Times"; Iron Deficiency Anemia - Children; Jane E. Brody; December 2009
- Mayo Clinic; Iron Deficiency in Children: Prevention Tips for Parents
- Better Medicine; Calcium Deficiency - Treatments; May 2011
- Better Health Channel; Calcium; June 2011
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