Dr. Faculty Member Muhammed Talha Karadoğan, who made explanations about the common nutritional problem in children, said, “One of the most important factors for growth and development in children is nutrition.”
Erzincan Mengücek Gazi Training and Research Hospital Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Faculty Member Muhammed Talha Karadoğan said, “If nutrition is not adequate and correct, tables that we call malnutrition, which can affect many systems in the body, may occur. These tables include problems that arise due to inadequate or, on the contrary, excessive nutrition in terms of content or quantity. In order to maintain a healthy life, nutrition should be adequate and balanced according to age, gender and individual needs. In many studies conducted in the world and in our country, it is seen that there are different nutritional problems. Some of these problems include underweight, short stature, deficiencies in some essential vitamins and minerals, obesity, chronic systemic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, and infectious diseases. An example of the importance of nutritional balance is the data published by the Turkish Statistical Institute showing that the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents in Turkey is increasing. Healthy nutrition for children varies in terms of quantity, content and diversity for each age group.”
Giving information about the nutrition of school-age children, Dr. Faculty Member Muhammed Talha Karadoğan said, “The school-age childhood period is roughly the period between the ages of 6-12. In this period, the amount of protein intake is as important as the amount of energy taken with food. As a result of studies for school-age children, nutrition has been classified in five main groups. This classification is expressed as food pyramid or nutrition plate.
These groups are bread, cereal, rice, pasta group, fruit, vegetable group, meat, chicken, fish group, egg, cheese, milk, yogurt group and sugar group. It is important to eat adequately and in a balanced way to cover each group of the pyramid. These contents vary according to age and need. For this reason, it would be beneficial for families to get support from health professionals in nutrition.
Studies show that breakfast is the most skipped and neglected meal in children in our country. In addition, other studies have shown that children who eat breakfast have higher academic success, experience less fatigue, have higher self-confidence, and have a lower incidence of obesity. For these reasons and many more, breakfast is an important meal that should not be skipped in children.
School-age children spend a significant part of the day at school, except during vacation periods. During the time spent at school, children who are away from parental control may fill their bellies with foods that do not meet the requirements of healthy nutrition or skip the meals they should have. They may also be away from consuming the adequate variety and caloric intake of food. In order to ensure that their children have an adequate and balanced diet during this time, some parents may prefer schools with cafeterias, have them take food from home to school, or have them eat at home if they have a home in locations where transportation and time are not a problem. On the other hand, a considerable number of school children may spend their meals in an unhealthy way with products such as toast, buttermilk, chocolate, etc. in school canteens or packaged products from nearby markets. Although the sale of some products in school canteens has been banned by the Ministry of National Education, it is important for families to monitor and manage their children's nutrition during their time at school.”
Prof. Dr. Faculty Member Karadoğan said the following about nutrition during adolescence:
“Although there are different classifications of adolescence, it is accepted by the World Health Organization as a period between the ages of 10-19. This period is considered to be one of the most important periods in a child's life when they experience major changes and developments. In addition to experiencing physical, mental and social developments, the child also acquires some habits that will last throughout his/her life. One of these habits is nutrition habits. Erroneous eating habits that may result in malnutrition can also be acquired during this period. The erroneous dietary habits acquired in the environment of friends or in some TV series/movies watched by adolescents can also be seen mostly in adolescence. In addition, one of the most common erroneous eating habits in this age group is skipping breakfast, which we physicians attach great importance to. The content, amount and variety of healthy nutrition differ in different childhood groups. It is important to provide children with a diet and habits according to age, gender and needs. In addition, children should be prevented from consuming harmful foods and excessive consumption of junk food. If families are in doubt about their children's nutrition and healthy development, they should definitely seek support from a health professional.”
