It was recently reported that a teenager in the United Kingdom became blind after years of living on junk food. The boy, who was described as a ‘fussy eater’, lived on food like french fries, potato chips, white bread, ham and sausages. The lack of nutrients from his diet led to visual impairment, and the boy was subsequently declared legally blind.
Assistant Professor Mary Chong shared the importance of developing correct eating habits from an early age. She reminded parents that when children adopt healthy eating habits from a young age, they are more likely to have a preference for them as adults, which will have a significant impact on their health and quality of life in future.
“Like adults, children are encouraged to have a balanced diet. This means making sure that their meals contain a mix of food groups: grains such as bread or rice, fruits and vegetables, meat or protein foods, and dairy products such as milk and cheese. If they generally do not consume a variety of foods each meal, it is likely not balanced,” said Dr Chong.
Inadequate nutrition or insufficiency in certain nutrients can cause children to lack energy, which can negatively affect cognitive development and academic performance. It can also affect physical growth and development, preventing children from reaching their full potential.
Dr Chong said, “In general, it is normal for children to refuse to eat certain foods. It could simply be that they do not like the shape, colour or texture. It is also normal for children to like certain foods today and no longer like them tomorrow. This happens because picky eating is a part of a child’s development. It is a way of exploring their environment and asserting their independence. The good news is that picky eating generally improves as children get older.”
She added, “To guide children to pick healthy foods, parents can offer two or three options for the child to choose. For example, instead of asking what your child would like to eat, you could ask ‘Do you want grapes or apples?’ The choice will also make the child feel more autonomous.”
Dr Chong is an advisor to the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s Advisory Panel for Parenting.
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