Nutritional Insight
A child’s nutritional diet is important for developmental growth. Without proper nutrition, a child lacks the essential nutrients that can alter their growth in a positive way. Breakfast is more than often skipped throughout the week by children and can affect much of their academic performance in school (Rampersaud, et.al, 2005). Many children on a daily basis consume lots of “sucrose, saturated fat, and salt” and not enough fruits, vegetables or proteins (Rampersaud, et.al, 2005). In order to improve a child’s nutritional diet, here are three things that can help children develop healthier eating habits.
Make Breakfast a Priority
It is important to acknowledge how breakfast affects the cognitive state of children. Being that many children are in school, eating breakfast enhances their cognitive capabilities in learning and performing better while at school (Haapala, et.al, 2015). Skipping breakfast can cause one to miss out on having a “higher total daily intake of energy” and be reluctant to make healthier food choices (Rampersaud, et.al, 2005). The benefits of breakfast in regards to cognition include positive results in “academic and achievement tests” (Rampersaud, et.a;, 2005). The main key thing to remember is that breakfast should include the following: “whole grain, fruit, and dairy” (Rampersaud, et.al, 2005).
From "No" to "Yes Please"
It is not surprising to see when a child refuses to eat something that does not appear visually pleasing such as vegetables or protein. To some extent, “girls consumed more vegetables and fruit than boys” yet, the goal is to encourage all children to do this on a daily basis (Jalkanen, et.al, 2017). One way to steer a child in the direction of desiring healthier food choices could be by allowing them to “take part in cooking family meals” which will “influence positively his or her vegetable preferences” (Jalkanen, et.al, 2017).
Better Together
The most crucial component in all of this is the family environment. A family that can enjoy a meal together has shown to “enhance the child’s competence and promote healthier eating patterns” (Jalkanen, et.al, 2017). Typically children are influenced by their family and will model their parent’s behavior such as with eating habits. For example, if a child observes their parent mostly consumes unhealthy food, they may be much less likely to want to eat healthy food when given the choice.
Physical Activity
Children need to be active so that they build life-long habits are formed from an early age. If kids are able to start exercising at a young age and form a positive attachment to being active then this will help promote being physically active throughout their lives. It is the most important time because kids are very impressionable with how they view activities and often these impressions can last a lifetime. Such activities as "regular physical activity are positively associated with a number of positive health outcomes, including improved cardiovascular fitness, increased bone mass, and improved psychological well-being"(Trost & Loprinzi, 2008)
Enjoyment
Enjoyment is very important for children because if kids do enjoy the activity then, they are going to want to keep doing it. So it is important for children to enjoy physical activity. This includes sports and outdoor activities. It is important to keep things fun and keeping the children engaged throughout the activity. Such sports as football or basketball are very popular for children because it is fast-paced and actioned packed.
Social Influences
The social influence of physical activity is really important for children because as kids go into pre-teen and teenagers they want to be cool and fit in with their social group. "Social influences are positively correlated with more intense physical activity. In addition, increased high-level physical activity is an important component in the development of self-esteem in children."(Richard S. Strauss, 2001). This is a quote from a study done in 2001 and it means that as kids are growing up it is important so they can develop self-esteem and grow and mature into teenagers and adults.
Long Term Effects
Physical Activity is really important for the development of children because not only is it important physically but, it is about or more important for the emotional and cognitive development of children. Kids need physical activity to fully develop into mature teenagers and adults. School today will allow kids to skip P.E. or various physical activities so that kids can focus more on their studies but, this hinders many different aspects of a child's development. We don't yet have a full idea of what these effects have yet because this wasn't a norm in society until the last 10 years. It is important to keep children up and active to help their development into teenage and adulthood.