Nutrition/Malnutrition
When it comes to children, nutrition is very important and should be taken seriously to avoid problems with malnutrition, developmental problems, deficiencies, and death. According to Berger (2012), "malnutrition beginning in infancy and continuing through early childhood contributes to one-third of all child deaths and slows later growth, including the growth of the brain" (Nutrition, p. 226, para. 1). Healthy eating is encouraged early before the child is even born. Mothers have to make sure that they are eating healthy and providing their unborn child with food and nutrients needed for the development of a healthy child. Even after the child is born the mother must continue a healthy diet such as formula, breast milk, and eventually the child will become old enough to eat baby food. This is the mothers opportunity to introduce the child to healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables in order to allow the child to become comfortable eating them. As the child become older the mother should encourage the eating of fruits and vegetables to make sure that the child is getting the necessary amount of food and nutrients needed to keep the children healthy.
There are several factors that can affect the child from receiving the proper nutrition needed such as economic levels and culture. When a family is within the low economic levels, they are not able to purchase large variety of foods and basically get what they can. This happens a lot in countries that are poverty stricken such as India. Malnutrition is a big problem in India in which one of the main causes of death in children are due to a lack of food and limited access to health care services. According to UNICEF (2013), "In India, around 46 per cent of all children below the age of three are too small for their age, 47 per cent are underweight and at least 16 per cent are wasted. Many of these children are severely malnourished"(para. 3). Culture also has a lot to do with a child's nutrition because of they way they are taught. There are some cultures that limit what is available for families to eat as well as certain things that are considered a normal part of their diet. Missing out on essential nutrients can cause problems that can lead to malnutrition. However, there are different countries that focus on healthy diets such as the Chinese who cuisine consists of brown rice and a variety of vegetables (Berger, 2012).
This topic is meaningful to me because I and a mother and I feel that no child should go hungry or without the proper nutrition needed for proper development. I know times can be hard and in some countries they get what they can, but I believe that if everyone works together no one will go hungry. As a future Early Childhood leader, I feel that information such as this will give me the motivation to want to help children in any way possible.
References
Berger, K.S. (2012). The developing person through childhood (6th edition). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
UNICEF. (2013). Nutrition. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/india/children_2356.htm.
Hi Shorlone,
ReplyDeleteHunger and malnutrition in under and undeveloped countries is a huge challenge for those countries. We are fortunate to live in a country where this is not really a concern for the majority of the population. Focus on healthy eating habits is should be the focus for children in this country because of all the easy access to unhealthy foods. If children are introduced to a variety of healthy, nutritious foods early in life, their palates will be expanded and will not balk at this food later on. Thanks for the informative post!
BethAnn
Within many communities which consist largely of people with Low Socioeconomic Statuses, hunger and malnutrition are major issues. Once off of the bottle or the breast, developing children in these communities may have their hunger "satisfied" by potato chips, sugary juices and candy. As these children get older their eating habits often get worse with greasy deli food and fast food being the meal of choice, followed by bombardments of candy and soda. Healthier food options are often not as readily available in these communities, are too expensive, or aren't as desirable due to the lack of exposure to them as BethAnn mentioned. Although the degree of malnutrition or hunger here isn't at the same level of that in developing or under developing countries, I believe the only way to effectively treat them is to approach it as if they are at an equal level or worse.
ReplyDeleteI agree with BethAnn and Regina. It is way more expensive to purchase a variety of healthy foods than it is to purchase junk foods such as soda, potato chips, and other processed foods. Quantity plays a role as well. I can purchase a large bag of potato chips for a lot less than I can purchase a small bag of fresh fruits or vegetables. Making healthy choices is even harder when you feel like you are getting less food for your money, particularly if money is tight.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the information about India's nutrition/malnutrition problems. After I read your post it made me wonder, "What could be done in a country where eating unhealthy is the normal part of their culture?"
ReplyDelete