Poor Nutrition For Children

A study conducted by Agricultural Research Service and Harvard University scientists showed a decrease in children's nutritional diet quality and an increase in calorie intake among U.S. children who ate fast food. The authors looked at 6,212 children and adolescent's diets from ages four to nineteen. When children in the United Staes who ate fast food were compared with those who did not, those children consumed more total calories, more calories per gram of food, more total and saturated fat, more total carbohydrate, more added sugars and more sugar-sweetened beverages. The study also showed that the children who consumed fast food had more food deficiencies and lack of the average nutrition needed. They also had less engergy then those who did not eat fast food. Between the late 1970's and mid- 1990's fast food restaurants have doubled to an estimated 250,000 nationwide. The findings are important because childhood obesity is increasing everyday. Not enoough intake of fruits and vegetables has been associated with obesity related problems. Fast food restaurants are not supplying children's nutritional needs. This may lead to problems in the future and higher obestiy rates.

I chose this article becasue I'm currently in psychology. We have learned a lot about nutritional needs for children, and how important it is for them to meet their nutritional value. How much nutrition you take in as a child can effect how your body acts later on with age. Examples would be: how your body will react to viruses, diseases, injuries, and etc. Eating fast food everyday as a child most likely will not have a good outcome. They will soon develop heart problems, or struggle with obesity. Children should eat healthy, consume their daily fruits and vegetables so they can be young healthy adults!

Bliss, Rosalie. "Poor Nutrition Among U.S Children." Agricultural Research Service. USDA, 5 Jan 2004. Web. 17 May 2010. .