Kids’ Nutrition​

1- Sharon Hoerr, a nutrition researcher from Michigan State University, and Jason Mendoza, a pediatrician from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, are studying the nutritional situation of the food that kids eat.

2- Just a small part of the food that they eat during the day can be considered nutritionally adequate, and it includes fruit and milk. 25 percent of children from 4 to 8 years old consume fast food on a typical day.

3- The researchers tested the quality of food that kids eat in Houston. More than 65 percent exceeded the necessary amount of fat, 75 percent were deficient in calcium, 82 percent were deficient in iron and 85 percent were deficient in vitamin A. This suggests that parents should read the nutritional information to determine what is included in this food.

4- Hoerr and her colleagues agree that it is the responsibility of the restaurant industry to develop and sell more nutritious options for kids and for parents to choose healthy food for their children.

5- Parents, doctors, consumer groups, and public health professionals can give a strong message to fast-food companies: that kids’ food is more attractive when it is delicious and nutritious.

Source: ScienceDaily

Glossary
Amount: quantidade
Iron: ferro
To develop: desenvolver; criar
To sell: vender
Healthy: saudável
Consumer: consumidor