Aust Fam Physician. 2000 Aug; 29(8): 735-40.

Eating and nutritional problems in children.

McVeagh P.

New Children's Hospital, Westmead.

BACKGROUND: In Australia good food is abundant and relatively cheap but childhood obesity is increasing and many children are offered suboptimal nutrition. OBJECTIVE: The impediments to healthy food choices and strategies for promoting a healthy diet in childhood are discussed. DISCUSSION: Good nutrition in childhood is important, not only for the health, growth and development of the child but also for long term health. A child's energy requirement can easily be met from snack food, at the expense of more nutrient rich foods. There are no 'good' or 'bad' foods: it is the overall package of intake that is important. Children need to be offered a variety of nutrient rich foods at regular times during the day.