Table of contents:
- The effect of sweet foods on children's health
- 1. Addiction
- 2. Tooth decay
- 3. Obesity
- 4. Behavioral disorders
The taste, there are almost no children who do not like sweet foods. Moreover, parents also like to reward children with sweet foods because they have behaved well. However, giving sweet foods to children does not always have a good impact. Behind that, there are several effects that may be dangerous for children if they often eat sweet foods.
The effect of sweet foods on children's health
The limit of daily sugar intake that is safe for children is 25 grams, or the equivalent of 2 tablespoons. In fact, sugary foods such as a pack of snacks, candy, and sugary drinks can contain half the maximum sugar content.
That still doesn't add up from the food you cook, packaged milk, or other snacks that your child might eat.
Children do need sugar intake to support their growth. However, uncontrolled sugar intake can have the following effects:
1. Addiction
Sugary foods make kids feel good so they want more. If left unchecked, children's fondness for sweet foods can actually be dangerous for their physical and psychological health.
One of the easiest to see is addiction. Children who are addicted to sweet foods will show symptoms when their desire to eat sweet foods is not complied with. These symptoms usually include:
- Change mood drastically
- Child more often cranky
- The body is sluggish or even becomes overactive and talkative
- Shaky
2. Tooth decay
Tooth decay usually occurs due to the accumulation of remaining sugar in the cavities of the teeth. Oral bacteria will use sugar as food and produce acids. The combination of bacteria, remaining sugar, acids, and saliva then forms dental plaque.
Over time, plaque will further damage the teeth. Forms of tooth decay that are usually experienced by children include:
- Prolonged toothache
- Inflammation, swelling, and bleeding of the gums due to gingivitis
- More severe gum disease such as periodontitis
- Permanent damage to tooth breaking
- Gum infection
3. Obesity
Children who often eat sweet foods will be more at risk of obesity if they are not balanced with a balanced nutritious diet.
The dangers of this sweet food certainly don't stop when the child is young. Obese children will continue to experience this condition into adulthood if their diet is not corrected.
They are also at greater risk of experiencing the following health problems:
- Asthma
- Metabolic disorders characterized by excess abdominal fat and high blood sugar, triglycerides, blood pressure and total cholesterol values
- Sleep disturbance due to difficulty breathing
- Type 2 diabetes
- Behavioral problems and learning abilities
4. Behavioral disorders
The dangers of sugary foods can also have an impact on your child's behavior. Once digested and absorbed, the sugar will enter the bloodstream quickly. This triggers a drastic increase in blood sugar and makes the child hyperactive.
On-page research MedlinePlus also shows an influence between sugar intake and children's behavior. Children who are often given sweet foods as gifts by their parents tend to behave negatively as adults.
It is undeniable, children are so attached to sweet foods. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that the sweet foods their children eat come from healthy sources.
Choose better sweet foods such as fruit. You can also play a more active role by making your own sweet snacks using healthy ingredients. That way, your child will avoid the dangers of excessive sweet foods.
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