Healthy Eating in Children: Problems Caused by Poor Nutrition

British Columbia Specific Information

Healthy eating is important to your child’s growth and development. To learn about breastfeeding, formula feeding, your baby’s first foods, feeding your toddler, food allergies and food safety, visit our Healthy Eating Infants and Children web page. Canada’s Food Guide recommends a balanced diet that includes choosing a variety of different foods. For more information on choosing a balanced diet, visit Canada’s Food Guide.

Physical activity goes hand in hand with a balanced diet to provide a healthy lifestyle for your child. For information on physical activity guidelines for children, visit HealthLinkBC’s Physical Activity for Everyone webpage, the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines: For the Early Years (0-4 Years) or For Children and Youth.

You may also call 8-1-1 to speak to a registered dietitian, Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or you can Email a HealthLinkBC Dietitian.

Topic Overview

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

Osteoporosis in later life.
Cardiovascular diseases. Growing up eating foods high in fat, sugar, and salt can increase the risk for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis as an adult.^{footnote 1}

Children who eat poorly may have an unhealthy weight. Complications of unhealthy weights may include:

Bone growth problems in the legs.^{footnote 1}
Breathing problems, such as asthma.^{footnote 1}
Early puberty.^{footnote 1}
Gallstones.^{footnote 1}
Hip development problems (slipped capital femoral epiphysis).^{footnote 1}
Liver problems.^{footnote 1}
Polycystic ovary syndrome.^{footnote 1}
Type 2 diabetes, which in children is linked to being overweight, being physically inactive, and having a family history of type 2 diabetes.

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.

References

Citations

Gahagan S (2011). Overweight and obesity. In RM Kliegman et al., eds., Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 19th ed., pp. 179–188. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.