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Articles

Study: small children eat too much salt and sugar

90 percent children at the age of 1-3 eat too much salt, 80 percent eat too much sugar; their diet is too low in calcium and vitamin D, according to results presented at a press conference in Warsaw. Children very early learn the eating habits of parents, stress the experts.

The survey also shows that only 45.5 percent 1-3 years old children have normal BMI (body mass index). 12.5 percent children had weight deficiency, and at 14.5 percent significant deficiency. Overweight and obesity affects respectively 14.5 percent and 13 percent children. It was stressed that the child's body weight reflects an unbalanced diet.

"A child is a great observer. It will not want to eat even the best meal, if parents have something completely different on their plates" - said Prof. Halina Weker, Head of Nutrition Department at the Warsaw Institute of Mother and Child. She emphasised that more than 60 percent surveyed children eat food prepared for the adult part of the family.

She concluded that parents should pay more attention to varied and easily digestible diet, rich in vegetables, cereals, milk, fruit. She reminded that natural products, little processed or for nutritional use for small children, are the best. Their sugar and salt content is limited.

Weker stressed that salt excess is associated with the development of hypertension and disorders associated with vascular diseases. Sugar excess is a simple way to obesity. She explained that vitamin D affects the entire body's mineral balance - its amount determines the proper development of bones, but also affects blood vessels. Calcium deficiency in childhood increases the risk of osteoporosis later in life.

The survey also shows that the daily intake of vitamins A, B and C, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and copper by children far exceeds the recommended amounts. Weker explained that this is connected with frequent feeding children with products already enriched with vitamins by manufacturers.

Prof. Piotr Socha of Child Health Centre in Warsaw pointed out that most small children are overfed. He stressed that a child this age should eat 4-5 times a day, including three larger meals. "But children eat several times a day. They are given fruit, crisps, sweets" - he noted. He stressed that obesity acquired in childhood is more difficult to overcome. He believes that water is the best drink for children, and juices contain too much sugar.

The study "A comprehensive assessment of diets of 13-36 months old children in Poland" was conducted on a representative sample of 400 children between 13 and 36 months. The study was prepared by Nutricia Foundation in collaboration with the Institute of Mother and Child.

PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland

last modification: 2011-10-28

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Study: small children eat too much salt and sugar

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