We all remember once again the importance of a strong immunity when schools are on the agenda to switch to face-to-face education. Noting that malnutrition and hidden hunger in children is a global problem today, Pharmacist Ayşen Dincer underlines that this situation causes many health problems. Emphasizing the importance of vitamin and mineral support for a healthy life, Dincer says that for this reason, parents should prefer multivitamins prepared for their children according to their age and needs.
Schools are scheduled to start face-to-face education as of March. It is of great importance to keep their immunity strong during this period when our children will leave the safe environment at home and contact their friends and teachers, and sometimes have to go to school by public transport. Stating that a regular and balanced diet is the first step to support immunity, Eczacı Ayşen Dincer points out that unfortunately, not only in Turkey but also in the world, children are undernourished and face the problem of hidden hunger.
The research titled “The State of the World’s Children” published by UNICEF in 2019 is proof of Dincer’s words. According to the research, at least one in three children under the age of 5 in the world suffer from stunting, weakness or overweight due to malnutrition. At least 1 in 2 children under the age of 5 suffer from hidden hunger due to deficiencies in vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients. 44 percent of children aged 6 to 23 months do not eat fruit or vegetables, and 59 percent do not consume eggs, dairy products, fish or meat.
Processed foods are the hidden cause of hunger
Pharmacist Ayşen Dincer explains that processed foods, fast food and carbonated drinks, which are frequently consumed by children today, are another cause of hidden hunger. Underlining that the rate of overweight children and adolescents between the ages of 5-19 in Turkey has increased by 151.1 percent since 1990, Pharm. For this reason, Dincer states that anemia, iron and iodine deficiency are the most common health problems in children.
Reminding that in this period when we are experiencing the pandemic process, vitamin and mineral support is very important both to be protected from diseases and to maintain the academic success of children. For this reason, Dincer says that children should use vitamin and mineral supplements tailored to their age and needs. Emphasizing that a child cannot use the support his mother or father uses, Pharm. Dincer said, “The vitamin and mineral needs of children, adults and the elderly are not the same. Even men and women… Therefore, it would not be right for the whole family to use the same vitamin. Considering that children are in the developmental age, they should use multivitamins produced by a reliable brand that meet their daily vitamin and mineral needs.
Source: (BHA) – Beyaz News Agency
