It is a common phenomenon for children to have a picky and selective diet, which causes headaches for many parents. Because picky eating is not just about children not cooperating or not being full during meals, long-term picky eating can have an impact on children's growth and development. Therefore, parents must pay attention and correct their children's behavior. So what are the harms of children's picky eating habits?
A picky diet can easily lead to insufficient nutrition intake in children and problems with their growth and development. When the intake of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats is insufficient, the body weight will be lighter and the natural growth rate will slow down. Research has found that the incidence of low weight in babies with a picky diet is twice that of babies with a normal diet.
In addition, due to a preference for certain foods, children may suffer from long-term dietary imbalances, making it difficult for them to obtain nutrients from food to boost their immune system. As a result, they are more prone to illness and often experience colds and fever. In addition, long-term picky eating can also lead to children being prone to malnutrition related diseases such as anemia and rickets. Moreover, picky eating can easily lead to children's lack of concentration, thereby affecting their learning.
If parents do not pay attention to their children's situation, in the long run, it will lead to their children being thinner and weaker than their peers, and their physical health will also be seriously affected. Therefore, parents must face up to their children's unhealthy eating habits and correct them as soon as possible. They should also try to minimize snacks for their children in daily life to avoid affecting their ability to eat meals.
