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Health Hazards Paediatricians warn against the risks of dietary hypertension
It is difficult to pinpoint what a healthy diet should look like. This becomes even more problematic when it comes to children. But some parents put their offspring on the diet, they consider themselves healthy. This can have health consequences for the little ones. Paediatricians have now warned against a so-called "dieting hype".
More and more people are paying attention to their diet
More and more people pay close attention to what foods they eat. Some of my wholegrain makes us healthier, others swear by the best sources of protein. And yet others are increasingly relying on so-called "clean eating" without processed foods, on vegan food or the Paelo diet, with which you can lose weight through the Stone Age food.
Parents who have chosen a particular diet often prescribe it to their children. The consequences can be serious at times. The association of pediatricians specializing in gastrointestinal diseases has now warned against a "diet hype".
Paediatricians have warned against a "diet hype". Significant changes in diet could lead to significant disturbances in children. (Image: Svetlana Fedoseeva / fotolia.com) Diet changes could lead to disorders in children
According to the experts, drastic dietary changes, such as gluten-free diets or the omission of certain sugars, without sound diagnosis by a specialist, could lead to significant disorders in children, the news agency dpa reports. The chairman of the Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (GPGE), Michael Melter said according to the message: "There are sensible diets and there are diets that are purely mystical."
However, the Regensburg professor acknowledged self-critically that medicine 30 years ago even recommended countless diets. "Today we would say in 90 percent of these things, that's a form of endangerment of the child, what we have done there." Meanwhile, it is known that humans normally digest and use extremely many different substances. According to Melter, the intestine is a "master of integration".
Many ailments have no organic causes
Although the pediatrician and gastroenterologist Martin Claßen from Bremen have understanding for parents who wanted to help their children with abdominal pain, flatulence and diarrhea and reach for every straw. However, the vast majority of these conditions do not have an organic cause in children and adolescents.
Food intolerances in children are repeatedly found, but according to the dpa report diagnosed many naturopaths allergies with unscientific methods. "Then cow's milk is left out, then wheat is left out," Claßen said.
However, if children do not get milk, it can lead to a lack of calcium and in adulthood to osteoporosis. "Dairy-free diet, without it being necessary, is a risk for the children," says Claßen.
Gluten-free diet is not good for all people
Another problem is the gluten-free diet. Although this is very helpful in the chronic intestinal disease celiac disease (gluten intolerance), but there is a trend even without this diagnosis to dispense food with the gluten protein. It has long been known that gluten-free foods are not equally healthy for all people.
Claßen expressed concerns about the social consequences: "The risk is that the participation of these children in age-appropriate activities is reduced." Such as when eating on children's birthday parties or restaurant visits with friends.
According to the expert, medically not useful diets could have a placebo effect. In such cases, try to eat the omitted food components after a period of time and see if the symptoms come back. "And in many cases they will not come back," Claßen says.
Children eat too much sugar
Basically problematic is that children eat significantly too much sugar. Since the eating behavior of children is also heavily influenced by advertising, some experts demand, inter alia, a TV advertising ban on sugary drinks and sweets in the children's program.
The World Health Organization (WHO) had adapted its guideline only last year and recommended lower sugar intake to reduce the risk of overweight, obesity, tooth decay or diabetes.
On average, however, sugar intake among Western European adults is still almost twice that recommended by the WHO. According to dpa, the children's endocrinologist at the University of California, Robert Lustig, explains: "We are now absorbing so much added sugar with our food that our metabolism system can no longer cope with it."
No hunger diets for children and teenagers
The doctor Christiane Petersen, founder and director of the project "Moby Dick" (now renamed "Moby Kids"), strictly rejects hunger diets for children and adolescents. "Many children who are overweight and come to us already have a lot of diets behind them. It often happens that the parents who are self-dieting propose the same for their children, "said the doctor in an interview with the nutrition portal" Eat Smarter "..
"A child must always eat enough! A radical diet for children is harmful to health and development. Children are not adults; they need a lot of nutrients for their growth. "
Keep an eye on the development status of the offspring
According to Petersen, the developmental status of the child should be kept in mind, with moderate weight gain being completely normal. The weight determination should rather be left to a pediatrician and not with the explicitly intended for adults Body Mass Index (BMI) are performed.
According to "Moby Kids", about 15 percent of children and adolescents are overweight nationwide, more than a third of them are even obese. According to the association, the network has made it its mission to help children and adolescents with obesity or obesity between the ages of 8 and 17 lose weight. The program is based on three pillars: nutrition, movement and behavioral training ". (Ad)