Contents:
- Medical Video: 10 Foods You Should Never Eat
- Impact of malnutrition on children
- 1. Mental and emotional health disorders
- 2. Low IQ level
- 3. Infectious diseases
- 4. The child is short and does not grow optimally
Medical Video: 10 Foods You Should Never Eat
To support their growth and development, children need to get high nutritious food. If it is not fulfilled properly, it is not impossible for the baby to experience malnutrition. Of course the condition of malnutrition in children will have an adverse effect on their health and growth. So, what can happen when a child experiences malnutrition?
Impact of malnutrition on children
Children who do not get enough nutrition have the potential to experience complications and long-term health problems, such as:
1. Mental and emotional health disorders
According to Children's Defense Fundchildren who lack nutrition are at risk of suffering from psychological disorders, such as excessive anxiety and learning disabilities, so they need mental health counseling. Malnutrition also has a bad impact on the development and adaptability of children in certain situations.
A study "Indian Journal of Psychiatry"In 2008 noted the impact of malnutrition on children, namely:
- Iron deficiency causes hyperactive disorders
- Iodine deficiency inhibits growth
- The habit of skipping meals or the tendency for sugar-containing foods is also related to depression in children.
2. Low IQ level
According to data reported on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, children with malnutrition tend to skip lessons in class so children do not go up to class. Children become weak, lethargic, and unable to move actively due to lack of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
This is supported by data The World Bank who also noted the relationship between poor nutrition and low IQ levels. These children may also have difficulty finding friends because of their behavior problems.
The failure of children to achieve academic and social aspects due to malnutrition certainly has a sustained negative impact throughout their lives if they are not immediately cured.
3. Infectious diseases
The impact of other malnutrition that often occurs is the risk of infectious diseases. Yes, children with less nutrition will be very susceptible to infection. This is caused by the body's immune system which is not strong due to unfulfilled body nutrition.
There are many vitamins and minerals that greatly affect the work of the immune system, such as vitamin C, iron, and zinc. If the nutrient level is not sufficient, the immune system is also bad.
Not to mention if he lacks macro nutrients such as carbohydrates and proteins which are energy sources and builders of body cells. Lack of nutrition will make the body function disturbed.
4. The child is short and does not grow optimally
The growth and development of your child is hampered by the impact of malnutrition on children. When experiencing a growth period, your child really needs protein substances that are relied upon to build body cells and carbohydrates as the body's main energy source.
If there is no protein and other nutrients, it is not impossible that the growth of the child is hampered and even stops prematurely.
So it is important for you to continue to monitor the health of the baby, especially if he is still under the age of five years. By knowing its nutritional status, you will also find out whether the development of the child is normal or that. For this reason, you should always check your child with a doctor regularly.
