Malnutrition in children occurs when children do not get adequate and balanced nutrition for a long time. To overcome and prevent it, you need to give children healthy foods, especially those containing 9 Essential Amino Acids.
Malnutrition is more commonly known as malnutrition . However, that's not always the case. Excess nutrition that causes children to be obese is also categorized as malnutrition.
Malnutrition in children should not be ignored because it can inhibit their growth and development and increase the risk of health problems, such as infections, diabetes, and heart disease.
Causes of Malnutrition in Children
There are several conditions that can cause malnutrition in children, including:
Poor nutrition
One of the main causes of malnutrition in children is poor nutrition . Malnutrition occurs when the intake of nutrients from food and drinks that are absorbed by the body does not meet the amount of nutrients needed.
Children who are malnourished or malnourished will usually experience several signs and symptoms, such as stunting or short stature, low weight, distended stomach, golden and brittle hair, weakness, difficulty concentrating, and often getting sick or prone to infections. .
Factors that trigger children to experience malnutrition are economic conditions, sanitation, education level, and parental behavior.
Poor or unbalanced diet
Children can also experience malnutrition if they are used to eating less nutritious foods or eating unhealthy patterns, such as eating too much instant food or fast food .
These foods are usually high in calories, fat, sugar, and salt, but low or almost no other nutrients, such as protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. If left unchecked, this unhealthy diet can cause children to develop diabetes , high blood pressure, and heart disease.
The habit of eating foods high in calories, sugar, and fat can also be at risk of making children obese.
Eating disorders
The next cause of malnutrition in children is eating disorders, such as avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Children who suffer from this eating disorder tend to eat very little or avoid certain foods, so they are at risk for malnutrition due to malnutrition. This can happen when picky eating in children is not corrected.
Certain diseases
Malnutrition in children can also occur due to a disease, especially disorders of the digestive tract function and one of them is dysphagia or swallowing disorders. This condition makes the child lose his appetite so that it has an impact on the lack of nutritional intake in the body.
In addition, there are also several other diseases that can make children vulnerable to malnutrition, including Crohn's disease, cancer, tuberculosis , intestinal worms, and HIV/AIDS .
How to Overcome Malnutrition in Children
Malnutrition in children needs to be addressed according to the cause. However, the first step that can be taken to overcome and prevent the occurrence of this condition is to provide children with healthy foods that are nutritionally balanced.
A nutritionally balanced diet means food that contains all the nutrients, namely carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, in sufficient quantities.
So that your little one is healthy and can grow and develop properly, you have to make sure the food they eat contains a variety of these nutrients. These nutrients can be found in a variety of healthy foods, such as:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Grains, such as corn and wheat
- Legumes
- Fish and seafood
- Egg
- Tofu and tempeh
- Meat
To ensure that other nutritional needs are met, also give baby milk that contains 9 Essential Amino Acids, high in DHA, omega-6, vitamin D3, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin C.
The Importance of 9 Essential Amino Acids to Overcome Malnutrition in Children
Amino acids are the simplest form of protein. This substance is needed by the body for the formation of new cells to maintain immunity.
There are 20 types of amino acids, and 9 of them are classified as Essential Amino Acids. The nine essential amino acids include isoleucine, lysine, leucine, valine, threonine, histidine, methionine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan.
In children, the role of 9 Essential Amino Acids is so important, among others, to:
- Optimizing the growth and repair of muscle tissue
- Supports the growth of strong bones and teeth
- Supports brain function and intelligence
- Strengthen the body's resistance so as not to get sick easily
- Build cells, tissues, and organs of the body
- Increase weight and height
Essential Amino Acids can also stimulate the body's overall growth hormone. That is, the more fulfilled the needs of Essential Amino Acids, the lower the risk of children experiencing growth and development disorders. Vice versa. Without the essential amino acids, these other nutrients will be more difficult to absorb.
Therefore, in cases of malnutrition in children, meeting the needs of Essential Amino Acids is one of the appropriate treatment and prevention steps to take.
You need to know that the body cannot produce essential amino acids. This substance can only be obtained from foods that contain mostly animal protein, such as milk, meat, and eggs.
Why is that? In fact, the 9 Essential Amino Acids are best found in animal protein. Therefore, make it a habit for your little one to consume milk that contains 9 essential amino acids in it to help the optimal development of the little one.
That's the cause and how to overcome malnutrition in children. If your little one has symptoms of malnutrition, such as low weight, decreased appetite, refuses to eat or drink, looks tired and tired all the time, or becomes sick frequently, you should see a doctor .
The doctor will provide dietary arrangements that are in accordance with the conditions and causes of malnutrition in children.