Nutrition for Children

The importance of healthy diets for children should not be underestimated. Growth and physical development require not only ample energy but also essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Brain and nervous system development during childhood requires a balance of micronutrients, particularly sufficient iron, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids. Abundant evidence demonstrates that proper nutrition enhances academic performance. In addition, population data in children have shown that healthful dietary intakes are associated with lower risk of illness not only during childhood but also later, during adulthood. Furthermore, establishing healthy eating patterns in young children, as early as 3 to 4 years, is critical for lifelong health promotion because these habits track over time. Therefore, appropriate dietary practices should be strongly encouraged in the first decade ...