Food and Children:
How it affects their health and behaviour

There can be no doubt about it that food affects our children's behaviour. How many times have parents commented on the sudden rush of activity displayed by a particular child after consuming a fizzy drink or junk food? Or how aggressive their child becomes after eating a particular processed item? Just what is it that that affects children and how as parents or guardians do we ensure that children eat healthily in an era that offers quick, convenience food at every occasion?

Children today seem to be experiencing hyperactivity and attention deficiency problems in their thousands. Learning difficulties now being experienced by schools range from antisocial skills, behaviour problems, allergies, food intolerances and dyslexia. Recent research has discovered that a deficiency of nutrients affects the immune system and alters behaviour; more importantly after a period of absence the body is no longer able to absorb nutrients adequately resulting in further deficiency and thereby creating a vicious circle. The main nutrients that children seem to be missing out on range from zinc, selenium, chromium, iron, calcium, and essential fatty acids, especially Omega -3 and Omega - 6 which our bodies cannot manufacture and have to be provide from our food sources. When there is a deficiency in these nutrients, then children become more susceptible to a variety of conditions and their health in later life is affected making them more vulnerable to heart disease, cancer and Chrohn's disease to name but a few conditions.

When children start to display one particular symptom it is often swiftly accompanied by another; if the child suffers from eczema or asthma, they may also be hyperactive, experience sleep disorders, aggression and have a short attention span. Generally children with these symptoms are often thirsty, another indication of low levels of zinc and yet many regularly drink sweetened sugar cordial or sugar- rich fizzy drinks, all of which further dehydrate and deplete the body's system. If children were encouraged to drink water in its purest form it would not only aid their thirst but also provide additional health benefits.

Whilst food or nutrition for children is so important, starting in most cases from birth; although some would argue that what is consumed before conception is equally vital, it continues to be an often-neglected concern as the child develops.

Many parents are simply are unaware of the role of food and its direct effect on their children's health and mood. Changes in lifestyle over the last twenty years have meant an increase in both parents working, and for many the traditional family mealtime is a thing of the past. Many parents express finding the time to prepare and cook food as daunting and with the increase in processed and fast food, convenience has simply become easier. How often have crisps, biscuits, sweets, cakes and pastries replaced fruit to placate a stressful child? Yet research shows that one in five children eat no fruit, and those in low-income areas eat the least. The government Health Advisory Committee suggests that everyone should be eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, and that includes children, yet children's consumption of fruit and vegetables have fallen since 1983, when then they ate on average three portions of fruit a day. Research also shows that three in every five children eat no leafy green vegetables at all.

Yet it is not just parents who should feel responsible. Whilst schools are keen nowadays to promote a healthier menu, children of primary school age are often allowed to help themselves to their choice of food at lunchtime. Without guidance there are few children that will reach for fruit instead of a sweet pudding. Lunch boxes too without thought and planning can also be areas where junk food is offered to encourage the child to eat, but the process of unhealthy eating habits merely becomes enforced from an early age.

So what can we do about it? Begin by involving your children about food, knowing what foods supply the necessary nutrients that children require is vital, along with how to prepare, cook and add them to meals. For some parents this may mean that they themselves have to change their own approach to food. Encourage your child to understand how the body works, that it requires certain foods to function properly and enable it to grow strong and healthy. Get them to help in the kitchen, with the preparation and the actual cooking of the food will encourage them to be come more aware of what they are eating. Substitute certain processed foods for real, or natural foods, remember that organic food where possible is best as it is free from any toxins, pesticides or GM chemicals. Keep junk food for treats and special occasions, and prepare and plan before going out and take a healthy picnic basket. Invest in some cookbooks if you are short of ideas, remember that children learn by example, and make sure that they see you eating fruit and vegetables. Campaign at your child's school, if they are not involved with the healthy school menu then rally your education department, they will offer advice and be able to send someone along to help and provide posters, stickers and talks about diet. If you really feel that your child is still not receiving adequate amounts of minerals then consider a supplement, but consult where possible a nutritionalist or speak to a member of staff in a health shop.

It won't come easy, it may mean some serious changes in the way that you approach food and it may take you 6-9 attempts to get broccoli past your child¹s lips, but once you do you know that the benefits you have provided far outweigh the resistance.

The nutrients that we need can be found in a variety of food groups:

€ Zinc - shellfish, lean meat, pumpkin seeds, beans, sunflower seed, wholemeal bread

€ Selenium - wholegrain cereals, seafood, seaweed, sunflower seeds, Brazil nits.

€ Chromium - wholegrain cereals, pulses, nuts, meat and seafood.

€ Iron - oily fish, especially sardines, liver, dried apricots, green leafy vegetables, pulses and tofu.

€ Calcium - Milk, yoghurt, fish, tofu, canned sardines, green leafy vegetables, and almonds.

€ Essential fatty acids - fish oils, oily fish- mackerel, salmon, sardines, linseeds, nuts, seeds, olive oil.