Asst. Prof. Dr. Murat Doğan's new article with the title " Schools Are Opening… Attention! Our Children's Health is in Our Hands " appeared in the September issue of Yemek Zevki magazine. In his article, Doğan made recommendations for proper nutrition so that children can grow up and complete their development in a healthy way. Noting that malnutrition causes diseases such as obesity, he emphasized the importance of especially milk, cheese and yogurt in the immune system and strong muscle and skeletal structure.
The article written by Asst. Prof. Dr. Murat Doğan is quoted as follows:
Doğan gave nutritional advice for students as schools opened
As you know, schools are opening soon. Most parents, myself included, have a sweet fuss. Our children, and especially our school-age students, will be away from home all day. Their health is very important to us and one of the most important factors affecting health is our children's eating habits.
We all know that the foundation of healthy eating habits in children is laid in our preschool homes and then at school. In this sense, the restriction of foods that may adversely affect health must be in these periods. Eating habits that start especially in early childhood and primary school determine the nutritional behaviors that children will continue throughout their lives.
Our children spend most of their time at school. For this reason, the most effective environment outside the home where healthy eating habits are adopted is schools. School age includes children between the ages of six and twelve. However, since our children's school periods are now long-term, it is useful to increase this age to eighteen. The growth process in children also requires a significant intake of nutrients. In addition, it is very important that the foods that children of this age group should consume are of high quality and in sufficient proportions in order to obtain sufficient and balanced energy and nutrients.
About seven years ago, when I was the head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the university, we planned a beautiful project with our director of National Education in Istanbul in order to help our children adopt healthy eating habits. First of all, we listed our primary and secondary schools in that district and programmed the trainings. Afterwards, our senior dietitian candidates explained healthy nutrition to our children one day a week for ten weeks in a detailed and entertaining way. We received very good feedback from our children and even their parents with the trainings. I also supported our students by visiting a few of our schools every week. During a school visit, a parent said, “My son doesn't want to eat junk food anymore.” he said. I was so happy. The healthy nutrition project we started has been going on for seven years in the same district. However, I think that it has not been announced to the public very much. I think it would be very honorable and beneficial for me to spread such studies to the whole of Turkey.
“Correct Nutrition”
Returning to our subject, the needs for nutrients are also high due to the rapid physiological development in school-age children. This requirement may vary according to their growth rate, genetic and metabolic differences. However, it is not enough for children at this age to take basic nutrients in order to ensure their growth and healthy development. It is necessary to prevent all acute and chronic diseases and to maintain good mental health. This can only be achieved with a proper diet. This is water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, etc. It depends on taking all the nutritional components with the right diet and maintaining this situation.
In this context, meals should not be skipped, and meals should be eaten in three main meals and one or two snacks. Adequate sunbathing, fresh air and play are complementary elements of a healthy diet. Healthy eating habits acquired at school age not only form the basis of permanent habits in adulthood, but also unhealthy eating habits lay the foundation for chronic diseases related to nutrition in later ages. Overweight children at school age are twice as likely to be obese than non-obese children. It is a fact that obesity and related cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and some types of cancer are caused by unhealthy eating habits at school age.
In fact, prevention of obesity and other related diseases is possible with adequate and balanced nutrition. Meals should be arranged according to the way to and from school. Many studies show that most of the children go to school without breakfast. Being hungry all night and going to school without breakfast in the morning adversely affects our children's mental activities at school and reduces their school success. For this reason, children should be woken up at least half an hour before going to school in the morning and have a nice breakfast. It would be much better if they did not buy products such as pastry from outside. Apart from the food they take to school, taking sugary foods from the canteen between meals should also be minimized. Our children should be provided with the choice of foods that are beneficial for their health.
It is very important for our children to take the carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals they need in a balanced way so that they can have a healthy diet. I would like to end my article by briefly mentioning them.
“At least two servings of milk, cheese, yogurt a day”
Protein, calcium and vitamin D, which are necessary for our children to have strong skeletal structure, strong teeth and strong muscles, can be easily taken from milk and products. We should feed our children at least two servings of milk, cheese and yoghurt group foods per day. Protein, iron, B vitamins and some minerals, which are necessary for our children to have healthy blood and circulation and strong muscles, can be easily obtained from eggs, meat, chicken, fish and legumes. We should give four to five servings of these foods a day.
If we want our children to have a good immune system, we must ensure that they consume vegetables containing vitamins A and C, carbohydrate structures and plenty of fiber. I recommend one or two servings a day of vegetable varieties.
We can ensure that our children receive vitamins A and C, potassium and other minerals, which are necessary for healthy skin, eyes and gums, with fruits. In addition, it would be much more appropriate for them to meet their sugar needs from fruits. It would be very appropriate to eat at least one or two portions of fruit varieties a day.
Stay healthy..
We congratulate Asst. Prof. Dr. Murat Doğan and wish him success in his new endeavors.
