Attention to adequate and balanced nutrition of school-age children

Dietician Esman Nur Can, who works at Bilecik Training and Research Hospital, talked about the importance of nutrition in school-age children and said, “Adequate and balanced nutrition of school-age children is very effective in reducing health risks such as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes in later ages and increasing school success.”

Dietitian Esman Nur Can said that adequate and balanced nutrition of school-age children is very effective in reducing health risks such as obesity, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes that may occur due to nutrition in later ages and increasing school success. Can said, “Studies report that inadequate and unbalanced nutrition shortens the attention span of students, reduces their perception, causes difficulty in learning, behavioral disorders, school absenteeism and a decrease in school success. At the beginning of a new day, breakfast is of great importance for the body to regain its working power after being hungry all night. Breakfast positively affects learning by providing the necessary energy for brain functions. Health-promoting foods should be included in children's lunchboxes. Examples of foods that can be included in the lunchbox are milk, buttermilk, fresh and dried fruits, oil seeds, home-made pastries and sandwiches. It is possible for children to gain awareness of healthy eating, especially when children are with their peers during feeding hours and with the health-promoting guidance of teachers.”

“Children should prefer drinks that do not contain added sugar such as water, sugar-free milk, freshly squeezed fruit juice”

Dietitian Esman Nur Can continued her statement as follows: “One of the mistakes made regarding nutrition is skipping meals. Skipping meals causes insufficient intake of recommended energy and nutrients in this age group and negatively affects school success. When meals are not regular, children tend to eat more junk food throughout the day. Another common dietary misconception in school-age children is the consumption of junk food and fast food. In particular, sugar-sweetened beverages such as carbonated drinks and energy drinks are empty energy sources that do not contribute to meeting the needs of food groups and nutrients. Children should prefer drinks that do not contain added sugar, such as water, unsweetened milk and freshly squeezed fruit juice. It is important to remember that healthy children mean healthy adults.”