Healthy Eating in Children: Problems Caused by Poor Nutrition

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 become overweight. Complications of being overweight 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.