The Role of Nutrition in Childrens Health and Behavior - Essay Example

Better nutrition produces healthy children and adults who are more productive and are capable of achieving a better quality of life (WHO 2009). Basch (1999) noted that during the first six months of life, an infant receives nutritional and immunological benefits from breast milk. However, mothers who cannot provide the recommended breast milk feeds their babies with milk formulas fortified with iron (Basch 1999). As a result, it was found out that iron deficiency anaemia is one of the eating disorders commonly encountered during childhood (Basch 1999).

better nutrition produces healthy children and adults who are more productive and are capable of achieving a better quality of life (WHO 2009). Basch (1999) noted that during the first six months of life, an infant receives nutritional and immunological benefits from breast milk. However, mothers who cannot provide the recommended breast milk feed their babies with milk formulas fortified with iron (Basch 1999). As a result, it was found out that iron deficiency anemia is one of the eating disorders commonly encountered during childhood (Basch 1999).

Cornia (1994) stated that children who are two years old and below are required to include fats in their diet because fat plays an important role in the development of nerves and brain tissues. Cornia added that each year, children must grow about two inches of height and 4 – 7 pounds of weight. Hence, excessively low weight for height increment indicates a pattern of malnutrition and low weight increase in relation to age indicates a pattern of chronic malnutrition (Cornia 1994). Subsequently, lack of growth is associated with malnutrition, psychological and eating disorders, chronic underlying diseases, and infection (Cornia 1994).