It’s natural for parents and caregivers to want what’s best for their dependents.
This is especially true if these dependents are young ones who are not yet fully capable of independently looking after themselves.
In most cases, we as parents take on the burden of caring for our children and teaching them the right practices to live a healthy life. However, it’s not uncommon for children to face nutritional deficiencies in spite of our constant care, whether it’s from chronic illness or poor diet choices.
Regardless of the source of the deficiency, it should be your top priority as a parent or guardian to look after your child’s health.
The last thing you’d want is to spend an excessive amount of personal savings on hospital bills and worry about a totally preventable disease that’s progressed too far along.
With that said, here are five telltale signs of poor nutrition in children that you should know about.
1) Frequent Flu
Does your child seem to catch a cold more than other children their age?
If so, they might be facing a shortage of key nutrients in the body. The immune system is responsible for keeping harmful pathogens at bay, targeting them in the body and blood vessels before they wreak havoc.
If a child is malnourished, there will be a slowdown in the production of immune cells and antibodies, leaving the body more susceptible to viral illnesses like the flu.
A malnourished child isn’t one that’s merely underweight. A child with a seemingly healthy-looking weight can also be affected by nutritional deficiencies if their diet consists only of saturated fats and refined sugars.
As such, it’s important to pay attention to your child’s diet and make sure that they’re eating a well-balanced meal, three times a day.
2) Crankiness and Moody Behavior
No toddler is born an angel, but if your child’s temperament has suddenly become fouler than usual, it’s not always a sign that they just need more discipline. They may be facing inadequate nutrition.
The body needs a diverse mix of vitamins and minerals to keep one’s mood under control. This can’t be any more true for children.
In fact, being low in essential nutrients like iron, vitamin B, vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids can make your young ones feel more irritable.
The underlying reason behind this phenomenon is that these vitamins play important roles in regulating the brain and gut, particularly at a cellular level.
Couple that with how the right balance of food affects the brain’s neuroplasticity, and it’s clear to see why people with poor diets often feel cranky.
Of course, the best way to reverse a child’s moodiness is by giving them food that offers these vitamins and minerals. Fish, vegetables, and lean protein are generally excellent sources of these health sources.
3) Fatigue
Another telltale sign of poor nutrition in children is constant fatigue.
If your child constantly fusses about not having enough energy to run and play around, they may be nutritionally deficient. This is particularly common in kids with an iron and vitamin B deficiency.
Able-bodied children tend to have a healthy supply of mitochondria, which are tiny organelles responsible for supplying energy to cells.
When these organelles don’t get enough nutrients, which commonly occurs in kids with vitamin B12 deficiencies, these cellular powerhouses won’t produce as much energy, resulting in increased feelings of lethargy.
On top of that, fatigue can also be a sign of an underlying flu or viral infection that’s caused by a lack of nutrition. The best way to avoid these health complications is by eating a regular and well-balanced diet.
4) Clinical Depression
Mental illness can stem from a variety of external sources. But, believe it or not, your child’s diet could also be a major contributor to the state of their mental well-being.
Certain vitamins such as Vitamin B12 are responsible for regulating the hormones found in our brain. If the body lacks this essential vitamin, it can cause hormonal imbalances. Excessive homocysteine production is one such imbalance.
Homocysteine is a type of amino acid that can hinder the body from producing serotonin in the brain, which is responsible for keeping us in good spirits.
Kids who produce too much of this compound can easily fall under a spell of depression. This can manifest in the form of sadness and a lack of motivation to do things they once enjoyed.
The best way to rectify this mental problem is by seeking help from a professional therapist.
While indulging in a tub of ice cream can provide temporary relief, it’s also best to have your kid indulge in depression-fighting foods like bok choy, low-fat yoghurt, and salmon.
5) Weight Loss
Has your child been losing weight recently? Has their desire for food gone down?
If so, this could indicate poor nutrition. We’ve established the fact that a bad diet can cause nutritional deficiency. But to reiterate, this is caused by a lack of nutrients you’re gaining from your diet.
But being in a constant state of nutrition deficiency can also cause you to not want to eat food. This creates a vicious cycle that can lead to even worsening health if left untreated.
If your child is losing weight despite eating their regular diet, it’s best to consult with a nutritionist or doctor. They can assess your child’s nutritional intake and provide relevant advice to address these concerns.
In some cases, the root cause of weight loss could be something more complex like a health condition, like PKU. So ensure you’re in touch with a qualified doctor.
Click here to learn more.In the meantime, supplementing meals with proper nutrition can help balance out these deficiencies.
Fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and dairy are all excellent food options to keep your child’s health in top shape.