Four Reasons Why Good Nutrition Is Important For Kids

1. Children never stop growing, from birth to the end of adolescence.
2. Kilo for kilo, a five-year-old child needs more thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamins A and C, and vitamins B6 and B12 than a 25-year-old man.¹
3. Fuel for play periods that include running, jumping and testing of new physical skills.
4. Nutrients in preparation for the accelerated growth spurts of the teen years.

Today’s Childhood Nutrition

One clinical study after another shows that our children do not receive all the nutrition they need from their diets. In addition to problems caused by high intake of fat, particularly saturated fat, many children are simply not getting enough of the essential nutrients.² A 2016-2017 New Zealand Health survey found Nearly 100,000 children aged 2–14 years (12.3%) were obese.³

Less than 25% of young people eat the recommended five servings or more of fruits and vegetables each day. And nearly one-quarter of all vegetables consumed by children and adolescents are chips.⁴ Adequate amounts of key nutrients such as zinc, vitamin B6, magnesium and calcium are missing from the diets of more than 50% of children from 2 to 10 years old.^5,6

Childhood nutrition is not only important for a child’s developing years. Maintaining optimal health is a lifelong challenge. More and more medical research is showing that it is the poor diet and bad habits that are established in childhood that may play a role in the development of degenerative diseases of middle and old age. With this in mind, it is important to focus today on maintaining a child’s health through proper eating patterns.^7,8

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be5-bG2n_vH/?tagged=usanimals

Essentials for Children

Usanimals contain an array of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, in amounts designed especially for active, growing children.

Vitamins D and C, along with selenium and zinc, support normal and healthy immune function. Vitamins E and C are two of the most powerful antioxidants needed by the human body. Vitamin E is one of the most important antioxidants because it helps to maintain strong cell membranes.^9-11 In addition to its antioxidant role, vitamin C is essential to form collagen in bones, cartilage, muscle and blood vessels. Advanced levels of calcium, with magnesium and vitamin D, play a key role in supporting normal healthy bone and skeleton structure, and strong teeth. Iron, iodine and B group vitamins support normal healthy energy production, which is so important for active children. Iodine along with zinc supports normal growth and development. Beta carotene supports healthy eyesight.

Usanimals have fun animal shapes stamped on the round, easy-to-eat chewable tablets, with a great Wild Berry flavour. They’re free of artificial flavours and sweeteners, to keep parents happy too!

Usanimals is now vegetarian safe. Usanimals is laboratory tested and quality guaranteed. It meets British Pharmacopoeia specifications for potency and uniformity where applicable.

Vitamins should not replace a balanced diet. USE ONLY AS DIRECTED. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL.

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References

1. Brody, J. Jane Brody’s Nutrition Book. Bantam Books: New York 1987. p. 367.
2. Kennedy, E., and Powell, R.J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 1997. 16(6):524-29.
3. https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-update-key-results-2016-17-new-zealand-health-survey
4. Krebs-Smith, S.M., et al., Arch. Pediatr. Adolesc. Med. 1996. 150:81-86.
5. Alberston, A.M., et al., 1992. J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 92:1492-96.
6. Kennedy, E. and Goldberg, J. Nutr. Rev. 1995. 53(5):111-26
7. Kemm, JR, Eating patterns in childhood and adult health. Nutr Health 1987; 4:205-15
8. Van Horn L., Greenland P., Prevention of coronary artery disease is a pediatric problem. J Am Med Assoc, 1997; 278: 1779.
9. Niki, E. Alpha-tocopherol. In Handbook of Antioxidants. Cadenas, E., and Packer, L., eds. Marcel Dekker: New York. 1996. Pp. 3-25.
10. Traber, M.G. Biokinetics of Vitamin E. In Handbook of Antioxidants. Cadenas, E., and Packer, L., eds. Marcel Dekker: New York. 1996. Pp. 43-61.
11. Fontham, E.T.H. In Natural Antioxidants in Human Health and Disease. Frei, B., ed. Academic Press: New York. 1996. Pp. 157-90.

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Obesity in children – Social effects

We all know by now (and have experienced!) that some kids can be downright cruel and if there is an obvious point of difference between your child and other children they are around, they can be an easy target for teasing or bullying.

A study in the American Academy of Pediatrics found that obese and overweight children were more likely to be the victims and committers of bullying behaviour compared to normal weight children. As a result, short and long term social and psychological development in these children were delayed.

Obesity can result in social and emotional problems for kids – who have already have enough on their plate just dealing with growing up. These problems can morph into mental health illnesses such as depression, anxiety, poor body image and even eating disorders.

Health issues

The social and emotional affects are concerning, but even more concerning are the direct negative physical health effects of obesity. Although these affects aren’t always seen in childhood, it is important to take action before they become serious health issues in adulthood.

Possible health problems for obese children in the future:

• Type 2 Diabetes
• Eating disorders
• Fatty liver disease
• Heart problems
• Respiratory disorders
• Sleep apnoea
• Dental problems

What can you do?

But it’s not all doom and gloom! The positive that you can take from all of this is that you can prevent and reverse obesity. You can take action now and build the foundation for a happier and healthier future for your children.

Here are nine ways to get your kids on a lifetime of healthy eating

Go for walks, bike rides or other fun activities as a family.

1. Go for a rainbow – encourage different coloured fruits and veggies. Try to encourage two fruits and five veggies daily.
2. Set a good example – you can’t expect them to eat their greens if you’re tucking into less than healthy eats. Eat together as a family and you’re likely to encourage better social skills.

1. Eat regularly – breakfast, lunch and dinner are essentials. Punctuate main meals with healthy snacks and you’re likely to help keep your child’s energy levels and ability to focus high. Skipping meals is linked with unhealthy snacking, weight problems and problems with energy and learning.
2. Don’t ban the junk – what children don’t get may be what they crave. Allow some treats but make them treats and not part of the daily diet.
3. Watch the drinks – that contain sugar and acids which can erode the enamel on teeth. Encourage water or juices only with meals.
4. Don’t give up offering new tastes – kids are notoriously fussy. And if you try a food that’s rejected, try offering it again a few days or weeks later.
5. Get them involved – kids are more likely to try foods if they have taken part in preparing or cooking foods. It’s also a great way to teach valuable life skills right from the start and a love of fresh, healthy, delicious foods.
6. Go for gentle encouragement – trying to use force, rewards or punishments in a bid to encourage your children to eat vegetables of any other food won’t help. Instead, for gentle persuasion and active encouragement!
7. Limit screen time –TV, DVDs, computers, mobile phones, tablets and playing video games all mean less time being active.
8. Build activity into family life – go for walks or bike rides together as a family each day.
9. Encourage supplementation – with active lifestyles and growing bodies, children and adolescences need advanced levels of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to achieve and maintain optimal health. Try USANA’s specially formulated kids daily vitamin Usanimals^TM and teenage daily vitamin BodyRox^TM.

Usanimals^TM

• Provides a balanced formula of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for children aged 2 to 12 years
• Supports immune health with vitamins D and C, selenium, zinc
• Contains calcium, Magnesium and Vitamin D that help with strong bones, muscles, joints and teeth
• Contains B group vitamins with Iron and Iodine support energy production for an active lifestyle
• Contains Zinc and Iodine nurture normal overall growth and development
• Easy-to-eat chewables with fun animal shape prints
• Is free of artificial flavours and sweeteners
• Suitable for vegetarians.

Offer a Usanimals* tablet at the end of a meal – it contains fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin D and fat soluble vitamins can only be absorbed with food. It helps with the metabolism of omega-3s.

BodyRox^TM

Body Rox** is a comprehensive and convenient formula of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for active teenagers.

• Provides everyday support for overall health, normal healthy immunity and skin
• Is specifically formulated for teenagers
• Contains with B group vitamins to support normal energy production and stamina
• Contains calcium and magnesium for healthy bones and teeth
• Contains lutein to support healthy eyes
• Helps compensate for teens’ erratic eating habits
• Suitable for vegetarians.

The post Nine Ways to Give Kiwi Kids a Lifetime of Healthy Habits appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.