Gastroenterologist: The occurrence of digestive diseases in children depends on the nutritional organization in the family

August 14, MINSK . Between the ages of one and three, the foundations of a child's eating habits are laid, so the family plays a crucial role in shaping a child's healthy lifestyle, eating habits, and eating behavior. Irina Savanovich, Associate Professor of the 2nd Department of Pediatric Diseases at the Belarusian State Medical University, Chief Pediatric Gastroenterologist of the Ministry of HEALTH, and MD, spoke to journalists about this, according to a BelTA correspondent. "In our country, public policy is aimed at improving public health and ensuring food security. According to Article 38 of the Education Code, provision of meals is one of the social protection measures for students, and the organization of meals for students in educational institutions is carried out in accordance with Article 40 of the Code in accordance with the regulatory framework. In other words, our country has organizational and legal frameworks for providing meals in both educational and healthcare institutions," explained Irina Savanovich. "However, organizing a child's meals at home is the responsibility of the family and parents. Traditionally, families pay close attention to the nutrition of children in their first year of life, while when transferring children over one year to the general diet , their morphofunctional characteristics are not always taken into account. Between one and three years of age, the foundations of a child's eating behavior are laid, so the family plays a very important role in shaping a healthy lifestyle, eating habits, and eating behavior. An inadequate diet and nutritional imbalances lead to the development of unhealthy eating habits and, as a consequence, long-term nutritional disorders (EDs)." Preventing diet-related diseases is all about healthy eating. "Organizing a healthy diet is probably the most difficult thing. You can do it once, twice, or even three times, but when you have to monitor it daily, it's the most challenging in our hectic lifestyles. To do this, you need to plan your grocery shopping, and when you go to the store, follow a simple rule: don't go hungry. Think ahead about what you'll make with these foods, and start with perishables. Cook more often at home with your children, monitor portion sizes, teach them and learn to limit SALT and SUGAR intake yourself. Drink enough fluids and eat more fiber, limit trans fats and ALCOHOL consumption. And for children, these are completely forbidden," the specialist reminded.
"Following these simple rules will help prevent a number of acute infectious diseases, so-called foodborne illnesses, and will contribute to your child's long-term nutritional status," Irina Savanovich concluded.