Why Is It Important for Kids to Eat Healthy?

With two working parents and an activity-filled day, it can be difficult to pack a homemade meal for your children. Some parents may turn to instant meals or rely on schools to provide them. But if they aren't careful, parents can be risking their children's health by not paying attention to what is going into their bodies. This article will illustrate some reasons why it is important for kids to eat healthy.

Obesity is a problem in America for adults and children at alarming numbers. The KidsHealth.org website claims that one in three children is considered obese, which means that their body mass indexes put them in the 95th percentile. Obesity is largely caused by lack of physical activity and a diet full of high-fat, high-sugar foods. By eating healthy foods, kids can at least remove one of the causes of obesity.

Childhood obesity also risks the development of diseases such as Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes means that the body cannot produce enough insulin or the cells cannot correctly receive it. Diabetes must be consistently managed by controlling glucose and insulin levels, or a child could die. Healthy foods low in sugar and fat can reduce the chances of acquiring diabetes.

Healthy eating also betters the chances of kids getting the recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C. Vitamin C can help kids ward off contagious diseases like the cold and flu viruses. Even if a child contracts these viruses, the body's improved immune system from the nutrient intake can fight them off faster.

Kids who play in sports--competitively or for fun--can have increased energy levels by eating healthy. The intake of complex carbohydrates and the family of B vitamins can help their bodies create long-sustaining energy. This can help kids get through the 7th inning or 4th quarter without quickly tiring. Eating lean protein and calcium can also help them develop stronger, muscular bodies.

Admittedly, some children may seem to resist eating healthy. The KidsHealth.org website suggests that eating healthy meals at the dinner table can have a positive influence for younger children. Re-naming vegetables and fruit with attractive titles such as "power peas" and "x-ray carrots" can also make the meals more fun. When all else fails, there are also recipes that can help parents sneak in vegetables into child favorites like tacos, pizza and hamburgers.