Are you one of those parents who resort to giving children junk food simply because they refused to eat a meal you offered them just once?
Most times, when we see parents panic when their children come down with some unimaginable strange ailments, like cancer, we recline and think about a few things.
- Are children the problem when it comes to taking junk foods or parents?
- Will parents take their time to know whether giving children junk foods are really their child’s need?
Most times, parents give their children junk foods as a way of rewarding them.
Some even go to the extent of promising them unhealthy fries and junk to motivate them to do some things.
These are minors and they hardly could tell their left from their right.
Unfortunately, when the minor grows up with the junk-food habit, the toxins the body have been fed for years show up. At that time the parent may never be there to help or stand by the child.
Just in case you do not know, there is a lot hidden in the bugger, ice cream, fries and other processed food items that you offer the child, simply because the child requested for it.
If you are walking with a child by a roadside and the child attempts to cross, you will grab the child by the hand and pull back immediately.
But when it comes to feeding their request for junk, you let down these guards.
You see, giving children junk food can have negative effects on their health and well-being.
Basically, junk food is typically high in calories, sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. These compounds offer little to no nutritional value and can contribute to various health problems.
Here are some reasons giving children junk food is considered detrimental:
1. Poor Nutrition
Junk food lacks essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber that are important for children’s growth, development, and overall health.
Giving children junk food regularly can lead to nutrient deficiencies and imbalances, which can have long-term consequences for children’s health.
This means that the after-effect may not show up until later in life.
2. Weight Gain And Obesity
Junk food is often calorie-dense and high in sugar and unhealthy fats. These can contribute to weight gain and obesity in children.
Excessive consumption of junk food is associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity. Unfortunately, this in turn raises the risk of various health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.
3. Poor Dental Health
Many types of junk food, such as candy, soda, and sugary snacks, are harmful to dental health.
The high sugar content in these foods promotes tooth decay and cavities, leading to poor oral health and the need for dental treatment.
4. Negative Impact On Behavior And Learning
Research suggests that a diet high in junk food and sugar may have negative effects on children’s behaviour, mood and cognitive function.
A study says Children eating a diet high in “junk food” in early childhood were more likely to be in the top 33% on the Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire hyperactivity sub-scale at age 7 (1).
Consuming excessive sugar and additives found in many junk foods can lead to hyperactivity and difficulty concentrating.
Also, it could cause irritability in some children.
5. Increased Risk Of Chronic Diseases
Also, regular consumption of junk food is associated with an increased risk of developing chronic diseases later in life. Some of the diseases are type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and certain cancers.
Really, poor dietary habits established in childhood can set the stage for these health problems to manifest in adulthood.
6. Establishing Unhealthy Eating Habits
Furthermore, introducing children to junk food at a young age can contribute to the development of unhealthy eating habits. These habits could persist into adulthood and cause problems.
Also, children who regularly consume junk food may develop a preference for these foods over healthier options, making it harder to adopt a balanced diet later in life.
These cravings could become so cemented that it is hard to break. We have seen people who have health issues that require removal of processed sugar from their diet, yet, they hide and eat cakes.
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Having seen these, it is important that a parent or caregiver takes precaution when choosing food items for children.
While giving children junk food occasionaly may not pose significant harm, it’s important for parents and caregivers to prioritise a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats for children’s overall health and well-being.
Encouraging healthy eating habits from a young age sets the foundation for a lifetime of good health.
Do not say, my child does not like this or that, even when you have just given the child the food item once.
In fact, laboratory studies of children’s food acceptance have indicated that repeated opportunities to taste unfamiliar foods results in increased liking and consumption (2).