1. Nutrition Findings Child Health and Well-being
1
The author of this article Willie Jack Minala is a Junior Scientific Article contributor and Writer from his general open researches which he
undertakes as an hobby. It does not reflect any views or findings of any research institution, organization, or government departments.
Thus, it is solely the views and remarks of the author exclusively for awareness and advocacy purposes!
Benefits of Fruits & Vegetables for Children
By Willie Jack Minala (Junior Scientific Article contributor and Writer)
November, 2015
Fruits and vegetables benefits our children in many ways, including improved
nutrition, decreased obesity risk and better school performance, but most children
don’t get the international WHO recommended five or more servings per day or at
least some fruits and vegetables a day. According to a research by the Ohio State
University, only 22 percent of toddlers and pre-schoolers and only 16 percent of kids
ages 6 to 11 meet the government's recommendation. To perfectly meet the desires
of almost all parents to have healthy and smart children, their parental obligations
must be played in having one-half of children’s mealtime plates to be filled with fruits
and vegetables in order to reap the benefits.
Improved Nutrition
Children’s growing bodies require good nutrition. Fruits and vegetables contain a
multitude of vitamins, minerals and other healthy compounds. Citrus fruits and
strawberries are rich in immune system-boosting vitamin C, carrots are loaded with
eye-healthy vitamin A and spinach is a good source of iron, a mineral that helps
prevent anaemia. According to DrGreene.com, apples contain 16 different
polyphenols, which are antioxidants with health-promoting properties. Eating fruits
and vegetables in a rainbow of colours will provide a wide range of nutrients that
help keep kids healthy.
Decreased Obesity
Fruits and vegetables are high in filling fibre, but low in fat and calories. Encouraging
kids to eat fruits and vegetables instead of sugary snacks and fat-laden fast food can
help children avoid obesity. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, 16 percent of kids ages 6 to 19 are overweight, increasing the risk of Type 2
diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, respiratory problems and depression. A
USDA study of 3,064 kids ages 5 to 18 linked higher fruit consumption to healthier
body weights.
Digestive Health
High-fibre foods, such as fruits and vegetables, help the digestive system function
properly. Constipation in kids can often be eased by eating more high-fibre prunes,
apricots, plums, peas, beans and broccoli, according to the American Academy of
Paediatrics. As fibre passes through the digestive system, it absorbs water and
expands which triggers regular bowel movements and relieves constipation.
Better School Performance
It is also a wish for all parents for their kids to perform well in schools. Children with
healthy diets, including high consumption of fruits and vegetables, performed better
on academic tests than children who consumed fewer fruits and vegetables in a

2. Nutrition Findings Child Health and Well-being
2
The author of this article Willie Jack Minala is a Junior Scientific Article contributor and Writer from his general open researches which he
undertakes as an hobby. It does not reflect any views or findings of any research institution, organization, or government departments.
Thus, it is solely the views and remarks of the author exclusively for awareness and advocacy purposes!
study published in the April 2008 issue of the “Journal of School Health.” The study of
5,200 Canadian fifth graders found that the kids with healthy diets were up to 41
percent less likely to fail literacy tests than the other children. A number of factors
influence the academic performance of kids, but nutrition is an important contributor
to better school performance, the report noted.
Tips
To increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, shop with your kids and let them
prepare vegetable and fruit dishes. A child who makes the green beans himself may
be more likely to eat them, notes an article by Elizabeth Cohen, CNN senior medical
correspondent. Sneak pureed or smashed vegetables into your children’s favourite
foods and stock kid-level shelves in the fridge with baggies of cut-up veggies and
fruits and fruit cups. Shop organic if you can. If cost is a factor, however, be selective
in buying organic, recommends the American Academy of Paediatrics. The most
important thing is for kids to eat fruits and vegetables – organic or not.
References
The Journal of School Health Volume 85, Issue 1, Pages 729–823
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-fruits-vegetables-kids-6463.html
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyKids/Healthy-
Kids_UCM_304156_SubHomePage.jsp
https://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org%2Fresearch&usg
https://www. fruits-vegetables.html&usg
https://www.who.int%2Fmediacentre%2Ffactsheets%