90 percent children between one and three years of age eat too much salt, 80 percent too much sugar, their diet is too low in calcium and vitamin D – according to research presented on Wednesday at a press conference in Warsaw.
Children learn their parents’ eating habits very early, experts emphasize. The study also shows that only 45,5 percent. children from one to three years of age have a normal BMI (body mass index). In 12,5 percent children were deficient, and 14,5 percent. – severe body weight deficiency. Overweight and obesity are respectively 14,5 percent. and 13 percent kids. It was emphasized that the child’s body weight reflects an unbalanced diet.
The baby is a great observer. It will not want to eat even the best-prepared meal if there is something completely different on its parents’ plate – said Prof. Halina Weker, head of the Nutrition Department at the Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw. She stressed that over 60 percent. the examined children eat dishes prepared for the adult part of the family.
She decided that parents should pay more attention to whether their diet is varied, whether it is easily digestible, rich in vegetables, cereals, dairy products, and fruit. She reminded that the best are natural, little processed products or those for particular nutritional uses for young children. Their sugar and salt content is reduced.
Weker emphasized that excess salt is associated with the development of hypertension, disorders related to cardiovascular diseases. In turn, excess sugar is a straight path to obesity. She explained that vitamin D affects the mineral balance of the entire body – its amount contributes to the proper development of the skeleton, but also affects the blood vessels. Calcium deficiency in childhood increases the risk of osteoporosis later in life.
Find out how the Cole Index, or Children’s Nutrition Index, works
The study also found that children’s daily intake of vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and copper is well above the recommended amounts. Weker explained that this was due to the fact that manufacturers often fed children with vitamin-enriched products.
Prof. Piotr Socha from the Children’s Memorial Health Institute in Warsaw pointed out that most young children are overfed. He stressed that a child of this age should eat 4-5 times a day, of which three meals should be larger. On the other hand, children eat several times a day. They are given fruit, crisps and sweets – he emphasized. He emphasized that obesity acquired in childhood is more difficult to lose. He estimated that water is the best drink for children and that juices contain a lot of sugar.
The study Comprehensive assessment of the diet of children aged 13-36 months in Poland was carried out on a representative sample of 400 children aged 13-36 months. The study was prepared by the Nutricia Foundation in cooperation with the Institute of Mother and Child. (PAP)
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