The right choice?

Do today's children really need health supplements to meet their nutritional requirements? Ritu Raizada explores the impact fast-paced lifestyles have on parental approaches to feeding their children.


Every morning when I stepped into my kindergarten pal Nancy's home, her mother would be opening the plastic capsule of a multivitamin tablet and mixing it with her orange juice. Nancy hated milk and would usually kick up a fuss about eating her vegetables. She could live on potatoes. Her mother, a nurse at a local hospital, always feared for her health because of her poor eating habits. I do not know whether that vitamin pill ever did her any good, for Nancy continued to be a sickly child.

‘Shortcut foods'

What seemed a rarity in those days has become the norm now. Take a look around the food courts. Most children survive on a diet of fried chicken nuggets and cola. Talk to their mothers about food and they will tell you how they force a malted nutritional drink down their child's throat every morning and a calcium pill during the day.

They eat a diet that has either too much starch, or too much sugar and excludes other food groups. This is why mothers today feel if their child has had an energy supplement in their milk or food, it compensates for any deficiencies. But is this so? Are these health supplements really the way to compensate for a child's nutritionally deficient diet?

According to Dr Nisha Soares, a specialist paediatrician at Al Zahra Hospital, Sharjah, "The major problem facing most parents as well as paediatricians today is that children eat less home-cooked food and more processed food, the biggest component of the latter being fast food." Blame it on lifestyle or a lack of time to cook, parents start feeding their children with ‘shortcut foods' like fries, cookies and noodles. These foods may taste good but they are unhealthy options. They encourage children to become picky eaters.

"(Picky eating) is a growing problem among children in the age group of one to four," says Dr Soares. "This is because children today eat less home-made food and in a bid to ensure their child's mental agility or physical health does not get affected, parents turn to health supplements and assume that these will meet their nutritional needs."

Picky and strong

Even as many parents introduce health supplements to their child's diet, they are not really aware of the true impact of their decisions. They do not know if the supplements will do their children any good. What's more they perhaps do not ask of themselves if it is too early for their child to be benefiting from health supplements.

According to Dr Soares, the origins of this problem definitely lie in the formative years of a child and the role parents play during this phase.

"Many parents feel the problem (of picky eating) is unique to their child but I would like them to know that this is a problem faced by parents almost everywhere. What makes these years in a child's life a challenge for parents is that children of this age are both stubborn and strong - stubborn enough to refuse to eat for long periods if denied the foods they want, and strong enough to withstand the hunger pangs that follow."

Dr Soares cites the case of a three-year-old who would get by on just two biscuits for the whole day.

"You cannot force-feed children of this age," she says.

"At the same time this is a period when the child's body and bone structure is being strengthened and if a child develops picky eating habits, it's the beginning of a long struggle for parents to correct the dietary imbalances."

In sheer desperation to get a child to eat, Dr Soares says parents often offer the child anything.

"Children being children, faced with a choice will opt for juice, chips, burgers and biscuits, which are tasty but unfortunately not so healthy. So on the one hand while a child appetite improves as he grows older, on the other hand, his food habits are likely to become ingrained. A skinny four year old therefore becomes an obese eight year old. As a result, the child's risk of getting diabetes in his adulthood is trebled."

Overexposure to information is also to blame

Dr Soares has come across several cases where parents have been influenced and swayed by the media which insists that health supplements are a must for children.

To combat and address the issue of eating the wrong foods and then having to correct the imbalance caused by these diets, parents often add health supplements like energy drinks and milk supplements to their child's diet.

"I cannot really blame anyone, including the parents, because there is a serious lack of awareness and a paucity of knowledge on proper nutrition and dietary habits among parents themselves."

In an era of information overload and excessive media exposure, parents get "bombarded by information that suggests supplements will improve their child's immunity and IQ. This is untrue," says Dr Soares.

"The most common health supplements," she says, "are milk additives and vitamins. Parents must understand the concept of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)." Scientists have long since defined the precise and exact amounts of nutrients and micro-nutrients that are necessary for daily functioning, that is the RDA.

Parents, suggests Dr. Soares, must read the nutritional information on the box to know of the amount or percentages of the nutrients being supplied by the company making the product. Often, that amount is too small or insufficient to supplement dietary needs. This is especially true in milk additives where the amount adds up to a negligible percentage of calories needed for the day. Parents must not depend on these to make up a good breakfast.

"However, this is not to say that all supplements are to be disregarded," she says. "There is a well-defined role vitamins, iron supplements and calorie additives play in some naturally picky eaters and pubertal teenagers. These children have growth spurts and the case for iron and calcium supplements to keep up with growth is strong."

Administering vitamin supplements in some cases is warranted. "There have been cases where biosocial conditions predispose groups of pregnant women to a deficiency in Vitamin D and as a consequence, their offspring lack it too. So giving these children Vitamin D as a supplement is called for. Many people are unaware that vitamin D in its natural form helps calcium to be absorbed by the body."

A child's ideal diet

According to Dr Soares, "The ideal diet for a child is the original and culture-based diet of the family. Children should eat what the family is eating. This is because the original cuisines for most countries are well-balanced and contain something from all food groups. For example, you will find rice, lentils and vegetables in most Asian diets; breads, meat and salads in the Arab cuisine; noodles with meat and vegetables in South East Asia and the like. It is when individual portions are askew that the problems begin. This is true in cases where children who have large helpings of rice refuse to eat vegetables; or eat noodles with sausages but say no to vegetables along with it. These kids are at a risk of obesity and are still suffering from malnutrition as they lack iron and vitamins.

"In my clinical experience, I have come across children who have a natural [which is the key word] slowing of growth and consequently very little interest in food."

Healthy children, she says, do not need any additional vitamins or supplements. The administration of health supplements could lead to the start of food likes and dislikes.

If supplements have to be given, please do so under medical supervision, she advises.

Also, "children are prone to developing anaemia by rejecting food containing iron. If you think your child has been looking pale, it may be worth taking him to a doctor".

It also helps when a parent insists that disciplined dietary habits be followed by his child.

"If your child is hungry but does not want to eat home-cooked food, the answer is not to give him fast food. Be more strict and ensure he eats home-cooked food that is healthy."

Her golden principle, "If your child gets stubborn, you get more stubborn After all, a healthy child is not going to starve if in a fit of stubbornness, he refuses lunch and dinner or even both meals. Hungry children will eventually eat.

"And when they do make sure they eat healthy home-cooked food and not something off a table at a fast food joint."

ROLE OF VITAMINS

What exactly is the role of vitamins, calcium etc? Do candy multi-vitamins really work? "Though there is new research available every day, which redefines the roles of vitamins and minerals," says Dr Soares, "in general, the following information should be kept as a benchmark."

• Vitamin A is also known as the vitamin to improve vision. It is especially helpful in maintaining the integrity of the eye and also other organs like the skin and placenta.
• All the B vitamins are responsible for the overall working of enzymes of cells - to the end this helps nerves and the lining of body organs.
• Vitamin C is essential for the formation of collagen. It helps immensely in repairing blood vessels in the case of an injury.

It also helps build strong gums.

• These days, the one vitamin being the ‘most talked about ' is Vitamin D. Better known as the ‘sunshine vitamin', it is important for the growth and well-being of bones and teeth. Vitamin D has recently gained a lot of importance in recent times in its effects in a host of areas ranging from immunity to cancer prevention.
• Calcium is the substrate through which Vitamin D works and the target organs are the same - bones and teeth.
• Fish oils have Omega 3 fatty acids and have gained a lot of interest. Researchers have brought forth studies that go to show that they benefit in developing the brain to improve IQ.

Mum knows best

Dr Soares cannot emphasise these enough:

• The importance of a good breakfast. No health supplement can replace it.
• The benefits of eggs. "I have parents coming in claiming they contain cholesterol. What they conveniently forget is they have the best protein structure there can everbe. So make your child eat eggs."
• Fruit juice is not a replacement for fruit. "Whole fruit is rich in fibre and while its juice may contain vitamins it is also rich in sugar and acids. Fruit juice also works negatively on tooth enamel apart from reducingyour appetite.

If you pack a small carton of fruit juice in your child's lunch box, it is possible he may skip his meal. It is better to put a few pieces of cut fruit in his lunch pack instead."

did you know?

• The two most common nutrients that children lack on average are iron and vitamin D. Iron is an essential part of haemoglobin which carries oxygen in the blood. A lack of it makes children anaemic; symptoms can include a loss of appetite and exhaustion. These symptoms are not just part of anaemia but can be seen in children tired after a long day at school. At the same time, too much iron can affect the liver. So iron supplements should be always taken under a doctor's supervision.
• Theoretically, an overdose of vitamins A D E and K can cause increased brain pressure (BIH), a rare but noticeable side effect. Practically, this is rarely seen. Always treat vitamins as medication, they should be taken only as directed. This is especially true with candy-like tablets that parents often make their kids pop in. They should be kept out of the reach of small children as they may confuse them with sweets. The other rule to follow is to encourage children to maintain oral hygiene. Health supplement candies should be treated like other sticky candies and the mouth should be rinsed and cleaned at all times.
• During processing fruit and vegetable extracts lose out on their nutrients. Often these extracts are given to children assuming they will make up for a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables. But they should be avoided. They cannot make up for the goodness of fresh produce. Also, they lack essential fibre.

Common Causes of Abdominal Pain in Infants

Viral or Bacterial Infection

Viral or bacterial infection of the intestine is usually associated with diarrhea or vomiting. Infectious gastroenteritis often is present with abdominal pain. If suspected, your pediatrician will perform a culture of the stool, and if a bacteria is detected, appropriate treatment will be given. Viral causes require no treatment and will resolve on their own over a week or so.

Constipation

Constipation often is blamed for abdominal pain, but it's rarely a problem in your younger infants. Older babies who have started solid foods; however, do sometimes become constipated and may experience abdominal discomfort while having a bowel movement.

If this appears to be your child's problem, try the following:

Add a small amount of water to the diet. Decrease constipating food, such as rice, banana or cereal. If these simple measures don't seem to help, talk to your pediatrician. Never give a child laxatives or other types of stool loosening or softening medications without first consulting your pediatrician.

Colic

Colic usually occurs in infants between the ages of 10 days and 3 months of age. While no one knows exactly what causes it, colic seems to produce rapid and severe contractions of the intestine, which probably are responsible for the baby's pain. The discomfort often is more severe in the late afternoon and early evening and may be accompanied by inconsolable crying, pulling up of the legs, frequent passage of gas and general irritability.

Intussusception

Intussusception is a rare cause of abdominal pain in young infants, usually occuring in the first year of life. This particular problem is due to one part of the intestine telescoping on itself. This creates a blockage that causes severe pain. This child will intermittently and abruptly cry and pull her legs toward her stomach. This will be followed by periods without pain, often without any distress.

It is important to recognize this cause of abdominal pain and to talk to your pediatrician immediately. She will want to see your child and perhaps order an X-ray called an air or barium enema. Sometimes doing this test will not only make the diagnosis but also unblock the intestine. If the enema does not unblock the intestine, an emergency operation may be necessary to correct the problem.

Simple Ways To Reduce Baby's Risk of Asthma

Childhood asthma and allergies have been on a steady increase worldwide. Asthma drugs have potentially serious side effects and are not the optimal solution to asthma, particularly for children.

During the last 15 years, there has been an alarming 160 percent increase in the rate of asthma in children under 5. Sadly many of these children could have been prevented from ever developing asthma. The good news is you can do something to safeguard your child's health by taking a few simple measures in your own home.

According to experts, the major causes are home air pollutants with house dust mites being the worst, next to cockroaches and secondhand tobacco smoke. Although dust mites and the feces they produce are found in vast numbers in every home, don't despair - drastically reducing the population these microscopic, spiderlike insects is easily done by washing bedding in hot water weekly. Next, using zippered, plastic covers on pillows and mattresses will keep them from coming back. Such dust mites thrive in moist or humid conditions, it's important to lower your home's humidity level to less than 50 percent with a dehumidifier. Carpets, upholstered furniture, all dust and dust collecting objects should be removed from your baby's bedroom. It's also a good idea to keep pets out of your baby's bedroom, as pet dander is also a very common allergy and asthma trigger.

Cockroaches thrive in moist environments, so to discourage them from invading your home. Be sure to fix all leaky pipes and plug up any holes in walls or near plumping. Since they love to feed off crumbs, food droppings or open food droppings or open food containers and maintaining a clean kitchen will discourage them from taking up residence. Beware of using pesticides as they can trigger an asthma attack.

Avoid smoking

Secondhand smoke during pregnancy and after pregnancy should be avoided completely. If family members smoke, have them do it outside and don't let visitors smoke in your home. For women smokers who are planning a pregnancy, making an effort to quit smoking for the sake of their future baby's health is a wise choice.

Avoid secondhand smoke

If your town or city has poor air quality, then you should invest in an air purifier to keep air borne pollution to a minimum inside your home.

Food Allergies

Food allergies in infants and children can be life threatening and are also known to contribute to the development of asthma. Delaying the introduction of potentially allergenic foods to your baby is a good preventative strategy. Mothers who breastfed for atleast 4 to 6 months can benefit their babies with stronger immune systems too. If breastfeeding is not possible, then avoid feeding your child milk or soy based formulas, instead use partially pre-digested protein hydrolysate formulas.

It's best to feed your baby solid only after they are six months old, then vegetables, rice, meat and fruit can be introduced  to their diets. Trying each food one at a time makes it easier to identify and eliminate any foods that cause a reaction. When your baby reaches one year old, milk, wheat, corn, citrus and soy may be  added. Wait until they are two years of age to serve them eggs. Next, when your child is 3 years old you can introduce fish and peanuts.

Taking these preventative measures will help ensure your baby a healthy childhood free from allergies and asthma.

Aromatherapy: From Conception to Baby

If you are trying to conceive, pregnant or are breastfeeding, alternative therapies such as aromatherapy may be something you have avoided because you have an unbased fear. However, did you know that vaporizing your favourite essential oil in a burner is perfectly safe?

Starting with aromatherapy - the precautions

Under the supervision of a qualified professional, aromatherapy is perfectly safe and of wonderful therapeutic benefit when trying to conceive, pregnant or breastfeeding. It can also be used on your baby. Professional advice should always be sought so your medical history can be assessed. This ensures you avoid any essential oils that may not be suitable.

While some essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy, all essential oils are perfectly safe to vaporize in an essential oil vaporizer - so you can still enjoy the gorgeous, uplifting aromas of an essential oil even when pregnant! It is only when these oils are applied topically (on the skin or a compress) that these warnings apply. Essential oils are absorbed into the body when placed on the skin. You should never apply any essential oils undiluted onto your skin unless advised by a qualified professional and you should never take essential oils internally. The following information is not a subsitute for any medical advice or treatment and is for use as a guide only. If you have any medical condition, for example, epilepsy, high blood pressure or kidney disease, you must always consult a naturopath or aromatherapist before using essential oils.

What qualities do I need to look for in essential oils?

When purchasing essential oils, there are important factors that need to be considered to ensure that you are getting what you think you are paying for.

Firstly, it must be 100 percent pure and natural essential oil. This means that the oil contains no additives such as mineral oils, synthetic components or emulsive agents, and they are not diluted or blended in any way. If you are not sure if the oil is 100 percent essential oil, ask. Do not confuse essential oils with fragrant oils. Fragrant oils are a synthetic cocktail of chemicals that just smell 'nice'. The danger of using these is that you are applying synthetic chemicals to your skin or vaporizing chemicals into the air. This will probably give you a headache and is the most common reason why people think that vaporizing essential oils give them a headache.

Price can be a good guide to establishing the quality of an essential oil. If the bottle of rose oil is a similar price to lemon oil, drop it. Rose oil can cost around $300 for 10ml while lemon oil would probably cost around $10.

If possible, choose oils that are distilled from wild-grown plants, or alternately, oils that have been framed organically, as these have little exposure to pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

Are essential oils safe?

The answer is yes, provided you follow care and caution as to what you use and how much, as pure essential oils are very concentrated.

Always dilute essential oils. There are many ways you can do this, the most being in a carrier oil (also known as a base oil) which should preferably be a vegetable oil and cold pressed. The cold pressing process prevents the nutrients being destroyed. An example of vegetable carrier oil is avocado, sweet almond or jojoba. This dilution is excellent for massage. More examples of how you can use your essential oils are in the next section below.

Always use the recommended dose of oils.

Avoid oils near the eyes or other sensitive areas. If you intend on blending your oils, do not use plastic containers - use glass, stainless steel or ceramic containers. Wait until baby is at least 2 weeks old before using essential oils. Even then, only use 1 drop of lavender in baby's bath or for massage 1 drop per 40mls of carrier oil. Until children reach 12 years of age, divide the specified dose for adults by 4. Some oils can irritate skin, particulary if you have sensitive skin. This is most commonly the citrus group of oils, so doing a skin patch test is advisable. Keep oils out of children's reach. In order to prolong the life of your essential oils, keep them in a cool, dry place and out of the sun. Avoid oils coming into contact with plastic, painted or varnished surfaces.

If you are unsure or uncomfortable using a particular essential oil, don't use it. Consult a professional before using the oil so that when you do decide to proceed with your essential oil, it is a positive and enjoyable experience.

How can I use my essential oils?

There are various ways you can enjoy your essential oils

In the bath: Add 6 or 8 drops of your favourite essential oils to your bathwater. Ensure you agitate that water well to disperse them through the water. Alternatively, add the essential oils to half a cup of full cream milk and then add to your bath. If you have dry skin, add your essential oils to 5mls of carrier oil and then add to your bath water. You can also place a towel in the bath, wring it out and placing it under your neck. This will allow better inhalation of the oils.

In the shower: Add a drop of essential oil to each corner of your shower.

On a tissue or hanky: Place 2 to 4 drops and inhale. Use only one drop for children.

On a pillow: Place one drop on each side. Be sure that it doesn't stain the bed linen.

Steam Inhalation: Place 2 or 3 drops in a bowl of hot water and inhale. Use 1 drop for children. This is excellent for colds and sinus problems.

Footbath: Use 2 to 3 drops

Vaporizing: In a ceramic or electric vaporizer (burner) use 6 to 8 drops. Do not leave burners unattended or in reach of children. If you plan to vaporize essential oils during your labour, you will need to check with your hospital first, as many do not allow a naked flame - in that case you will need to use an electric burner.

On a heat bag: Add 2 drops of essential oil.

Blend for massage: Use 50mls of your chosen carrier oil and add 2 to 5 drops of your favourite essential oils. For children, use 15mls of carrier oil and add only 2 drops of essential oils. Massaging a small amount of lavender blend into your temples is fantastic for headaches.

To make a compress: Fill a non-plastic basin with water, add 6 to 8 drops of essential oil, place the compress in the basin and wring out excess water before applying.

What essential oils can I use?

As mentioned earlier, consult a professional before using oils topically as some are not safe to use during pregnancy or of you have a particular medical condition.

Here is a general guide to choosing your essential oils. When trying to conceive, it is important to eliminate stress as much as possible to increase your chances of conceiving. Essential oils can aid relaxation and de-stressing.

Oils to use for stress relief and relaxation are:

Bergamot: a mood regulating oil for anxiety, depression, mood swings, menstrual or menopausal imbalance.

Jasmine: a euphoric aphrodisiac oil for depression, moodiness, lack of confidence.

Lavender: a sedating oil for anxiety, stress, hypertension, insomnia, anger, irritability.

Neroli: a balancing oil for nervous tension and stress.

Sandalwood: a calming, grounding, relaxing oil for insomnia, nervous tension and stress.

Ylang Ylang: an aphrodisiac oil for emotional coldness, shyness, impotence, frigidity.

Oils to help with conception include:

Chamomile Roman: a sedating oil for anxiety, stress, hypertension, insomnia, anger, irritability.

Geranium: a regulating oil for anxiety, depression, mood swings, menstural or menopausal imbalance. Geranium is a less expensive alternative to rose oil, which is one of the most expensive essential oils, costing around a dollar a drop.

Rose: a balancing oil for nervous tension and stress.

Under the supervision of a qualified professional, aromatherapy is perfectly safe and of wonderful theraupeutic benefit when trying to conceive, pregnant or breastfeeding. It can also be used on your baby.

Pregnant? Eat Apples and Fish

A new study has found that women who consume apples and fish during pregnancy may lessen the risk of their babies developing asthma or allergic diseases.

The study, conducted at the University of Aberdeen, UK, found that pregnant women who ate the most apples were most likely to protect their kids from asthma, as compare to children of mothers who had the lowest apple intake.

The study also found that children of mothers who ate fish once or more a week were at a lesser risk of eczema than children of mothers who never ate fish.

The study did not find any defensive outcome against asthma or allergic diseases from many other foods, including vegetables, fruit juice, citrus or kiwi fruit, whole grain products, fat from dairy products or margarine or other low-fat spreads.

The researchers examined 1,212 children born to women who had completed food questionnaires while they were pregnant. When the children were five years old, the mothers again filled out a questionnaire about the children's respiratory symptoms and allergies, as well as a questionnaire about their child's food consumption.

The children were also given lung function and allergy tests. Earlier studies in the same children have found proof for defensive effects of vitamin E and D and zinc. Their mothers had taken these during pregnancy, reducing the risk of children's wheeze and asthma, notes researcher Saskia Willers, Utrech University in the Netherlands.

"If the new results are verified," she says, "recommendations on dietry modification during pregnancy may help to prevent childhood asthma and allergy.

Willers concludes that at least until age five, a mother's diet during pregnancy might be more prominent on a child'd respiratory health than the child's own diet.

Willers suggests that the positive effect of apples may come from influential antioxidents called flavonoids. The protective effect of eating fish may come from Omega 3 fatty acids, which other studies have suggested have a protective effect on the heart and may have a protective effect in asthma.