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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.

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Topic Overview

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

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

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

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

Credits

Adaptation Date: 7/22/2020

Adapted By: HealthLink BC

Adaptation Reviewed By: HealthLink BC

Is it an emergency?

If you or someone in your care has chest pains, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding, it could be a life-threatening emergency. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately.
If you are concerned about a possible poisoning or exposure to a toxic substance, call Poison Control now at 1-800-567-8911.

Thanks to our partners and endorsers:

Northern HealthBritish Columbia College of Family PhysiciansProvincial Health Services AuthorityVancouver Coastal HealthBritish Columbia Medical Association: Doctors of BCIsland HealthCollege of Pharmacists of British ColumbiaCollege of Physicians and Surgeons of British ColumbiaFraser Health AuthorityCollege of Dietitians of British ColumbiaInterior HealthCollege of Dental Surgeons of British ColumbiaBC Centre for Disease Control