Chennai: Following the recent IMRB survey, which found that 22 per cent of children in Chennai miss as many as five days of school in a stretch due to illness, DC explores solutions to help enhance a child’s immunity,
Most mothers were surprised that despite their efforts to ensure the best diet for their children, they remained deficient in certain nutrients. Doctors, therefore, urge parents to be more cautious. “Foods rich in antioxidants should be fed to children. Carrots are rich in vitamin A, chickpeas are a good source of protein and sweet potatoes are very high in nutrition, hence they should be included in a child’s diet,” said Dietitian Dr Kumaran K.
“Cultural diet and also Westernisation of Indian food are a few factors responsible for the lack of sufficient nutrients in children,” said Jill Castle, a registered Dietitian / Nutritionist (RDN) and childhood nutrition expert located in New Canaan, Connecticut.
The immune system is the human body’s ‘anti-virus’ defense system. The more a child falls ill, the lower the immunity. This, in turn, hampers the child’s physical and mental growth. “Adequate nutrient supply is necessary to ensure a well-developed immune system so as to maintain their genetically programmed growth potential,” said a child specialist in the city.
Health experts also feel that health drinks with high nutrient content should also be given to the children. “If a child starts his or her day with only one glass of milk, it proves insufficient as the traditional method of boiling the milk over and over again results in loss of nutrients,” said Jill. “Instead, if the child has had added nutrients in his or her milk, the child tends to feel more energetic, which proves the need for nutrients in a child’s body,” she added.
“Children grow both physically and mentally. Thus, adequate nutrient supply is necessary to ensure a well-developed immune system so as to maintain their genetically programmed growth potential,” said Dr Kumaran.
Expressing a word of caution, Dr Dharini Krishnan, Consultant Dietician and former National President of the Indian Dietetic Association said, “Parents should ensure that they keep track of their children’s diet.”
