The most important period of a human being is that stage between birth and puberty, or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty. That is the impressionable period when the human personality is largely developed, either negatively or positively.
As part of its efforts to ensure an all-round development of the child, to foster the future development of healthy and balanced societies, the United Nations in 1954 established the Universal Children’s Day to be celebrated on November 20 each year. The day is envisaged to promote togetherness around the world, create awareness of the problems children face across the world, and improve the welfare for all children. On November 20, 1959, the UN General Assembly adopted an extended form of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
The theme for this year’s celebration, ‘Investing in our Future Means Investing in our Children’, was quite profound. Indeed, our children are key players of tomorrow’s world, and investing in their health is a critical part of their future. Healthy children have a better chance of dominating their world. It’s no secret that when we eat healthy food, we feel healthy. When it comes to our health, the food we put in our body can have a significant effect on our wellbeing. This is even more so for children. So, it’s important that as parents and guardians, we need to provide wholesome foods for our children for their proper growth.
Why is nutrition important to children?
Nutrients are meant to act as a “trigger” for brain development processes. Neurodevelopment starts before childbirth and continues throughout life. Neurodevelopment is development of the brain and nervous system of the body. Right intake of nutrition influences brain development, behavior, and plays a major role in whether your child is at increased risk of asthma, heart disease, impotence, cancer, blindness, memory loss, and other later-in-life health problems. Protein is a necessary supplement that is vital for child growth and development. Choose a diet for your child with plenty of protein products such as soya, which has a high protein content and enriched with other vital nutrients for growth, meat, egg, and fish; vegetables, fruits, saturated fat, and a diet that provides enough calcium and iron to meet his/her growing body’s requirements.
How does poor nutrition affect Children?
Children who are malnourished are more likely to develop certain long-term health problems and complications. Poor nutrition can affect children’s health in many ways. Not only can it lead to certain diseases but it can also affect children’s mental health, energy levels, and overall well-being.
In other words, giving children the right nutrients can help them grow to a healthier version of themselves. The nutrients from the food they eat give their cells the ability to perform their necessary functions. So, children’s nutrition can help them avoid certain diseases that can put their lives at risk and cause their health to deteriorate, thus prevent them from exploiting their talents and contributing to societal growth.
Cecilia Okoro is a graduate of University of Benin and an aspiring writer.
