Nutrition in children

NUTRITION Nutrition is the intake of nutrients the inform of food, The major nutrients in food are carbohydrates, proteins and fats, Vitamins and minerals also exist in food in small but very useful amounts. Nutrition is a very essential component of life that leads to proper growth and development in human beings. Lack of proper nutrition will lead to malnutrition and sometimes death. Malnutrition refers to a situation whereby nutrient intake is low or in excess, when in excess, it’s called over nutrition and when it’s low it’s called under nutrition. In developing countries such as Uganda, the biggest population is mainly affected by under nutrition due to household food insecurity and poverty, In some instances, children are denied food by caretakers or are fed on non nutritious food thus leading to malnutrition. Malnutrition has the following indicators; Stunting (low height for age), Wasting(low weight for height) and underweight (low weight for age). According to the SCN world nutrition situation 5th report, Stunting affects 147 million pre schoolers in developing countries, Malnutrition at an early age leads to reduced physical and mental growth and development for example Iodine deficiency is the major cause of mental retardation and brain damage. Under nutrition also affects performance in schools. However malnutrition can be prevented by providing children with adequate and well balanced meals. A well balanced meal will comprise of foods from the following food groups Carbohydrates e.g. Cassava, Irish potatoes, Yam, whole grain cereals, pulses Proteins such as milk, fish and eggs, and fruits and Vegetables such as bananas, apples, greens, cabbages etc………………..