Tackling childhood nutrition
Parents have to inculcate the taste for nutritious food in children to lay the foundation for healthy eating
ARECENT report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) has shown that while Kuala Lumpur has an income per capita equal to that of developed countries, children residing in its low-cost flats are not doing well.
The study finds that about 22 per cent of children below the age of 5 are stunted, 15 per cent are underweight and 23 per cent are either overweight or obese.
According to the National Plan of Action for Nutrition of Malaysia III, 20162025 (NPANM III), the disparity between underweight and overweight children requires strategies for improving the nutritional status of Malaysian children.
The dietary intake of the children is not compatible with the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI), where inadequate intake of calcium and vitamin D are of concern.
Supporting international home appliances brand Beko’s global campaign, #EatLikeAPro, Goo Chui Hoong, a freelance dietician and author of journal articles on nutrition and books such as Lite Malaysian Favourites, is advocating the importance of eating right for children.
To tackle childhood malnutrition and obesity, both of which can lead to health problems, one must look at a common problem, she says — fussy eaters.
TACKLING MEALTIME PROBLEMS
Goo says children are not born fussy eaters. While they are developing their personality, they are also developing their taste for food.
“Children who are starting to explore their taste buds make their judgements based on taste, textures and even colour of the food.”
Goo adds that parents have to inculcate the taste for nutritious food in children to lay the foundation for healthy eating. The most common food children reject are vegetables but children need to eat healthy to grow.
Therefore, parents should not give up on getting children to eat right. They can mitigate the situation by being more experimental and creative when it comes to feeding a fussy child.
Goo adds that a child’s eating habits are not likely to change overnight but the small steps a parent takes each day can lead to a lifetime of healthy eating.
To support parents around the world in getting their children to eat healthy, Beko has launched a website that shows what top FC Barcelona football players eat to play their best.
The website also features a spin and cook wheel that provides choices of healthy recipes and information on how to know to make your family eat better.
All these can be accessed at www.beko. my/eatlikeapro.