The benefits for kids in eating healthy

INDIANA (WLFI) - Eating healthy is good for all humans – especially tiny ones.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), healthy eating is associated with reduced risk for many diseases, including several of the leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes.

Healthy eating in childhood and adolescence is important for proper growth and development and can prevent health problems such as obesity, dental caries, iron deficiency and osteoporosis.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free and low-fat dairy products for persons aged 2 years and older.

The guidelines also recommend that children, adolescents, and adults limit intake of solid fats (major sources of saturated and trans fatty acids), cholesterol, sodium, added sugars and refined grains.

Unfortunately, according to the CDC, most young people are not following the recommendations set forth in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

These are a few benefits of health eating according to the CDC:

•  Proper nutrition promotes the optimal growth and development of children.
•  Healthy eating helps prevent high cholesterol and high blood pressure and helps reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.
•  Healthy eating helps reduce one’s risk for developing obesity, osteoporosis, iron deficiency, and dental caries (cavities).