POORLY

NOURISHED AND

HEALTHIER

EATING HABITS

IN CHILDREN

MALNOURISHMENT

IN

POOR …

What is Malnutrition ? Malnutrition is:• Poor nutrition due to an insufficient, poorly

balanced diet, faulty digestion or poor utilization of foods. (This can result in the inability to absorb foods.)Malnutrition is not only insufficient intake of nutrients. It can occur when an individual is getting excessive nutrients as well.

What causes

Malnutrition ? Absence of :

• PROTEIN

S

• VITAMINS • MINERALS

Number one cause of

Malnutrition :POVERTY

Nearly 3 billion

people in the world

are living on less

than $1 a day. They

have little access to

their basic needs,

including adequate

nutrition to help

their bodies stay in

balance. Poverty

may also prevent

individuals from

accessing

education, which

can lead to

misinformation

about adequate

nutrition.

Effects of Malnutrition Nutritional

deficiencies

can contribute

to various

diseases which

can be found

everywhere,

but most often

go without

cures/treatmen

t in Less

Developed

Countries

(LDCs).

• MarasmusMarasmus is a disease resulting from protein deficiency which affects chidlrenearly in life (typically in the 1st year) slowing growth, decreasing weight and hindering proper development.

Effects of Malnutrition • Beriberi

Beriberi is a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency which is common in South East Asia where many diets consist solely of white rice.

• PellagraPellagra ”rough skin” is a niacin (or Tryptophan) deficiency which often results in the “3 Ds”; diarrhea, dementia and dermatitis.

HEALTHY EATING

HABITS IN

SCHOOL GOING

CHILDREN…

Physical factors On average, children gain 4 to 7

pounds and gain 1 to 4 inches per

year. At approximately age 10 or 11

the rate of growth once again begins

to increase, an indication that the

child will soon enter puberty .

As a result of this slower physical

growth and development, the body

needs for certain nutrients, most

notably calories and protein, is not as

high as during infancy. Interestingly,

the body naturally compensates for

this, and, as a result, it is not at all

uncommon to see a young child with

a decreased or inconsistent appetite.

Physical factors • On the other hand, as children enter

school and begin to participate in

organized sports and other activities that

result in an increase in physical activity,

their appetite and food intake usually

increases. Starting school and

participating in other structured activities

places new social, emotional, and

mental demands on children.

Consequently, the school-age years are

characterized by intense development in

social and cognitive skills. Without

adequate nutrition, children will

experience physical and mental fatigue,

have difficulty concentrating on learning

tasks, and will ultimately exhibit slower

cognitive and behavioral development.

Benefits of eating well• Good health • More Energy

Benefits of eating well• Improved

concentration

• Lower risk of

diseases

Healthy eating tips• Start the day with a healthy breakfast.

• Limit high calorie snacks such as candy ,

chocolates and chips.

• Offer water , lower fat milk instead of pop

and sugar drinks.

• Choose wisely when eating out avoid meal

deals and super sizing.

“One should eat to live

not live to eat”

~BENJAMIN FRANKLIN