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`Involve children in kitchen activities'
Young ones displaying their painting talent at Ayanavaram on Sunday.
EVERY PARENT of a growing child has thousand things to worry about - right from balanced diet, eating disorders to nutritional supplements - to help healthy growth. Yet, not many of them have the opportunity or time to clarify their doubts.
On Sunday morning, parents with their children thronged paediatrician P. Richard Balu's clinic at Ayanavaram. But, it was not for medical treatment but an awareness programme on child's health.
Making a short presentation about the critical phase of child's growth, Dr. Balu indicated the growing preference for junk food among children.
"Many children may look healthy. But, that does not indicate a balanced nutrition. Parents must try to solve the problems by checking out the diet of children and avoid junk food as much as possible," he said.
He also touched upon the impact of poor eating among children and provided suggestions to bring about change in their behaviour. The common complaint about children aged between two and ten is refusal to take food, which would result in nutritional deficiency.
"Instead of forcing children to eat food items which they dislike try explaining to them about the nutritional value by reading a picture book. Involve the children in kitchen activities so that they learn about healthy food," he said.
He suggested that a gap of at least two-and-half-hours must be left between every meal and a time table be set for children's meal.
The programme also highlighted features of health drink and the advantages over fun drinks. Health drinks make the circle of nutritional needs complete. One serving of such drink was equivalent to a meal, Dr. Balu said. The programme concluded with interactive session with parents about do's and don'ts for overall development of children.
The programme, organised together with Abbott Health Care, manufacturers of Pediasure, a nutrition drink for children, was a learning experience for parents and fun-filled for children who were engrossed in a painting contest.
Three-year-old S.Gunal Kumar who sketched the outline of a child's growth bagged the first prize. Five-year-old M.Srija and K.Blessina won second and third prizes respectively.
R. Ganesh, area business manager of Abbott Healthcare (Chennai), said more such programmes would be organised in every area of the city to highlight the role of the health drink in a child's development.
By K. Lakshmi
Photo: T.A. Hafeez
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Life
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
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