school-age children Despite all the planning and preparation of the child’s meals, chances are that the younger child is missing out on some vital nutrients. Do you know why? Because children are in the process of developing their eating habits and many factors are influencing these habits. These are discussed below.
Family environment: Put simply, families that use positive parenting practices encourage total well-being of children. We generally observe that with or without conscious effort the family guides and shapes the food preferences and establishes the food patterns of their school children. Parents should therefore acquire proper nutritional knowledge and incorporate it into planning diets for their children. Eating together in a comfortable and happy atmosphere is conducive to good eating habits and nutrient intake.
Media: TV commercials and their favourite film stars endorsing the products have very strong influence. More exposure, more independence and above all more understanding of the catchy slogans tempts children of this age. Attracted by the messages conveyed by commercials they insist on foods which are low in fibre, and high in sugar, fat and sodium. Similarly, an attractive display of foods with harmful additives during festivities influences their between meals snacking which in turn lessens their appetite for proper meals.
A conducive family environment would help to combat this issue. Peers: As the child enters school, there is a change of dependence from parental standards to those set by the peer group. So food intake may differ from what is followed at home due to peer influence. Adequacy in terms of nutrients does not depend on what food is available to children of this age but on what their friends eat.
Children usually eat well in the company of friends. The tiffin given for school is often finished. When they eat along with their peers, they are willing to eat new foods which they otherwise refuse. In order to promote a positive attitude towards good food habits in preschoolers it is best to have group settings.
Socio-cultural Influences: Every region has its typical foods and flavours. The family usually serves the same food to young children that adults eat. Eating with the family encourages children to like foods typical of their own region, and also of other regions. As an example, children in the north of India enjoy eating southern dishes such as idlis and dosas with relish, while children in southern states like parathas and rajma -rice of the north.
Erratic Appetite: You may notice that the child may eat one meal well while refusing the next altogether. This should not be worrying because these are temporary moods and disappear if not reinforced by bribes, punishments or rigid rules.