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.

Overview

Children with poor eating habits don't get the amounts of nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. This can lead to being underweight or overweight.

Children who are poorly nourished tend to have weaker immune systems, which increases their chances of illness. They are more likely to develop certain long-term health problems. These include:

Bone thinning (osteoporosis) in later life.
Heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) diseases. Eating foods high in fat, sugar, and salt as a child can increase the risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) in adulthood.
Type 2 diabetes. In children, this disease is linked to being overweight, being physically inactive, and having a family history of type 2 diabetes.
Certain breathing problems, such as asthma in children who are overweight.

Being overweight puts children at risk for:

Liver problems.
Problems with hip development or bone growth in the legs.
Gallstones.
Early puberty.
Polycystic ovary syndrome. This is a hormone imbalance that can cause problems with a girl's periods and other health problems.

Doctors regularly screen children for signs of these health problems.