Healthy Eating in Children: Problems Caused by Poor Nutrition

Children who eat poorly are more likely to develop certain long-term health problems and complications, including:

• Reference Osteoporosis Opens New Window in later life.
• Cardiovascular diseases. Growing up eating foods high in fat, sugar, and salt can increase the risk for high Reference cholesterol Opens New Window, Reference high blood pressure Opens New Window, and Reference atherosclerosis Opens New Window as an adult.^{Reference 1}
• Reference Type 2 diabetes Opens New Window, which in children is linked to being overweight, being physically inactive, and having a family history of type 2 diabetes.
• Certain breathing problems, such as Reference asthma Opens New Window in overweight children.^{Reference 1}

Complications of being overweight include liver problems, problems with hip development (Reference slipped capital femoral epiphysis Opens New Window) or bone growth in the legs, Reference gallstones Opens New Window, early puberty, and Reference polycystic ovary syndrome Opens New Window.^{Reference 1}

Your child's doctor regularly screens for signs of these health problems. If your child needs treatment, work with your child's doctor to ensure that your child is getting the best medical care possible, both at home and at medical checkups. Keep your child's relationship with food separate from his or her medical condition. And guide your child's eating with healthy food choices. Avoid putting your child on a weight-gain or weight-loss diet.

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