What are the most important facts parents should know about child nutrition? What kind of lack of nutrients can damage the children’s health?

Germany

Sound nutrition is the basis for good health as the child progresses towards adulthood. Inadequate nutrition in the very early stages of development can often have an enduring impact throughout an individual's life. In Europe we do not have a problem with malnutrition caused by lack of food. In countries with plentiful provision, the cheapest form of food energy comes regrettably in the form of fats, sugar and refined flour. Children should eat a lot of starchy foods such as bread, cereals, potatoes, rice and pasta and also fruit and vegetables. Nutritionist around the world advice to eat five portions fruit and vegetables a day (Five a day- campaign). These are valuable sources of vitamins and minerals, and contain dietary fibre and anti-oxidants. Fibre plays an important role in the health of the alimentary canal, while anti-oxidants defend healthy cells against molecular damage. Cereals are low in fat and rich in carbohydrates, proteins, fibre, vitamins and minerals. Wholegrain cereals usually contain complex carbohydrates with a low glycaemic index, which is a positive factor for the regulation of blood glucose level.

Children need also proteins for growth and repair of the body. A good source is meat but also dairy products, eggs and fish. A combination of vegetarian and animal protein enhances the value of protein. Plants with plenty of protein are cereals and cereal products (e.g. bread), nuts and pulses (peas, beans and lentils). Dairy products also contain a lot of calcium, the principal mineral in bones and teeth. An adequate calcium intake is vital in times of growth and necessary to prevent osteoporosis in further years.

Children need fat for their development, too. But it should be vegetable fats like oils. They are important a carrier for fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Oil contains essential fatty acids which are important in the formation of cell membranes particularly in nerve tissue. But a high intake of dietary fat may encourage obesity and its attendant risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Obesity is an increasing problem among the inhabitants of the European Union, particularly among children and adolescents.

With a mixed diet of a lot of vegetarian food and less animal food children can get all nutrients they need. But recent dietary surveys suggest that there are continuing problems of deficiencies in micronutrients - in particular iron, iodine and folate. These deficiencies can cause anaemia, iodine deficiency disorders and congenital deformities.

Iodine is used to make thyroid hormones like the growths hormones. The only rich sources of iodine are seafood, but in some countries certain foods, egg salt and bread, are fortified with iodine. Children should eat at least sea fish once a week. Iron is required for the formation of haemoglobin in red blood cells, which transport oxygen around the body. A lack of iron leads to low iron stores in the body and eventually to iron deficiency anaemia. Growing children and adolescents especially girls who reach the puberty have an increasing demand. Iron is found in plant and animal sources. Iron from animal sources (haem iron) is better absorbed than iron from plant sources (non-haem iron). But one to two portions of meat a week are enough to get the requirements. Folate is a vitamin, which is involved in the formation of red blood cells. It found in dark green vegetables, nuts and oranges. With "Five a day" children get enough of it. Feeding and nutrition of infants and young children, Guidelines for the WHO European Region:
http://www.euro.who.int/nutrition/Infant/20020730_1