Adequate nutrition plays an important role in the growth and development of children. There are many things that affect the fulfillment of nutrition. Starting from the availability of nutrients to the child’s diet.
Unfortunately, children’s food intake and eating habits have changed a lot in a bad direction. Lately, children tend to consume high-fat foods and excess sugary drinks and consume fewer fruits and vegetables. As a result, many children do not get the ideal range of nutrients and are more likely to develop nutritional deficiencies.
Types of nutritional deficiencies Children are vulnerable
There are many types of nutritional deficiencies that children can experience. Of all of them, here are some of the most common types of nutritional deficiencies in babies.
1. Iron deficiency
Iron deficiency has been the most common nutritional deficiency among children for decades. As a result of increased iron supplementation, the prevalence of iron deficiency decreases during the first year of life. However, iron deficiency rates in young and school-age children have remained constant for decades.
When you start eating solid foods, many tend to be picky, as a result, your little one may lack this important nutrient.
Iron is important for various body functions. For example, it is an important component of hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
Foods that are good sources of iron include red meat, beans, chickpeas, shellfish, spinach, chicken liver, and fish.
2. Vitamin D deficiency
The body produces vitamin D from cholesterol in the skin when exposed to sunlight. Hence, people who live far from the equator are more likely to be vitamin D deficient.
Most people are unaware that they have a vitamin D deficiency because the symptoms are unclear, it can even develop over the years.
Vitamin D deficiency is common in children and adults. In adults, symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include muscle weakness, bone loss, and an increased risk of fracture. In children, vitamin D deficiency can cause growth retardation, soft bones (rickets), and decreased immune function.
The best source of vitamin D is sunlight. Additionally, children can also meet their vitamin D needs through food, such as cod liver oil, salmon, mackerel, sardines, and egg yolks.
3. Zinc deficiency
Zinc is a mineral that plays an important role in infant growth, digestion, development of sex hormones, and strong immunity. Deficiency of this mineral can negatively impact everything from hair, skin, nails, to cognitive function and a child’s height.
Some foods that are good sources of zinc include sesame, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seeds, cashews, peanuts, seafood, and beef. Meanwhile, the fruits that provide zinc include avocados and berries.
4. Calcium deficiency
Calcium deficiency is experienced by many children in developing and developed countries. Calcium deficiency is also a major cause of dental and bone development problems in children.
Calcium is an essential mineral for muscle function, heart regulation, blood clotting, enzyme function, and the transmission of nervous system messages throughout the body. Simply put, calcium is necessary for the growth and development of children.
Milk and dairy products are easy sources of calcium. However, for babies who cannot tolerate lactose in milk, there are many other alternatives to choose from. Dark green leafy vegetables, soy and tofu, fish, nuts, seeds, and fortified grains are some sources of calcium that can meet the needs of children.
5. Potassium deficiency
Potassium is an important mineral that supports your little one’s body functions and development. Some of the functions of potassium, including building muscle, supporting growth, maintaining nerve cell function, and regulating body acids and water.
According to research by National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES), 98% of babies get potassium from breast milk and / or infant formula. Unfortunately, only about 5% of children between the ages of 1 and 3 and less than 1% of children between the ages of 4 and 5 receive the required amount of calcium.
6. Vitamin A deficiency
Vitamin A is known as a nutrient that plays an important role in maintaining eye health. However, apart from that, vitamin A is also responsible for maintaining the health of the skin, teeth, bones and cell membranes.
Vitamin A deficiency is very common in children in developing countries. In fact, vitamin A deficiency can cause temporary and permanent eye damage, even blindness. In fact, vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Not getting enough vitamin A can also reduce immune function and increase mortality, especially in children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Some easy sources of vitamin A include beef liver, fish oil, sweet potatoes, carrots, and dark green leafy vegetables.
It is possible to be deficient in almost any nutrient. However, this nutritional deficiency is the most common problem children experience. The best way to prevent nutritional deficiencies is to eat a balanced diet that includes nutrient-rich whole foods.
Source:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/sdfe/pdf/download/eid/1-s2.0-S0031395509001114/first-page-pdf
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-common-nutrient-deficiencies#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4
https://seewhatgrows.org/common-nutrient-deficiencies-childhood/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23966425/
