7 Signs Your Kid Has a Nutritional Deficiency
Growing children needs the best of foods to fulfill their nutritional requirements, and even if your kid isn’t a picky eater, you need to take steps to make sure he gets all the nutrients and minerals that he needs. So how exactly do you know you’re going right? Is there any actual way to know if your little one is deficient? It turns out- yes! Keep reading to find out 7 possible signs and symptoms of nutritional deficiencies in children.
Dryness of the Skin
A deficiency of fat soluble vitamins including vitamins A, D, E & K2 often results in dryness of the skin in children. If your little one seems to have dry skin that doesn’t resolve no matter what you do, you might want to include more of foods that contain these vitamins in his diet.
Cavities
Dental cavities are another common deficiency disorder noticed in children. Contrary to what we usually assume, sugar and candies aren’t entirely responsible for cavities. The lack of minerals and fat soluble vitamins is actually what worsens the problem.
Crowded Teeth
While overcrowding of teeth can happen due to hereditary issues, a lot of times, children tend to develop it because their diets have very low nutritive value and they tend to be more of processed foods.
Lethargy
Lethargy and general weakness, if observed often, is another clear sign of nutritional deficiencies in children. Iron deficiency in particular, is linked to low stamina and fatigue, and should be addressed at the earliest.
Frequent Cold
If your little one seems to catch cold very easily and has a weak immune system, it could be a sign that he isn’t getting enough essential vitamins and minerals through his diet. A balanced diet is usually enough to build a child’s immunity and make him less susceptible to falling ill.
Anxiety
Crankiness, anxiety and depression in children, are again, a strong pointer of improper nutrition. The lack of omega 3 fatty acids in particular, often results in anxiety in children, since these fats are concerned with the regulation of mood.
Hyperactivity
Yes, growing kids can be more active and energetic than the rest of us, but if you sense your little one is way more active than other kids of his age, it could point out towards hyperactivity, which usually happens due to poor gut flora concentration. The lack of adequate ‘good bacteria’ in the gut can affect the absorption of nutrients through food, which in turn, causes deficiency disorders and also results in hyperactivity in children.
Apart from these, obesity, mood swings and delay in speech development are some other signs that could hint towards nutritional deficiencies in children.
This is all very good to know. I actually had no idea about any of this. I wonder if this applies to adults to. Many of the needs issues on my own.
They would definitely apply!
These are great tips to have eyes on kids, my surprise was with Crowded Teeth, now I see the reason why it happens!
It’s sad to say but a lot of kids from nowadays don’t eat properly and eat way to much junk and take out, my granddaughter is one of them children, and I am always at her mother for it!
That‘s great info, thank you. Would love to get some further info on these points, though (links, books?) to help. Which minerals and vitamins are lacking in cavities, for example? Can supplements help in the short term? How to change the diet for long term improvement (aside from avoiding sugar)?
Your family doctor, a dentist, and a dietitian would have answers to those questions. We did add some links, but health care professionals are ideal to help you. You can also Google and see what comes up!
Some great info here. Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
I had no idea about the crowded teeth and omega 3 fatty acids! Thank you for sharing
My pleasure!
This is very good to know! I’m sure a lot of kids that are pick eaters do not get proper nutrition and vitamins.
It’s a prevalent thing now, even in first world countries, sadly. I think that prevention is key, definitely good to have awareness at least.
Totally agree!
I didn’t know about the crowded teeth issue, that was enlightening. I think it’s really important to get fresh fruits and veg into children as much as possible to help growing bodies.
Great tips to learn about kids, sometime we do not know why they feel so hyperactive and other time not!