3 Ways Iron Deficiency Can Affect Your Child

For moms and dads, the most important thing when raising their children is to make sure that they grow up strong and healthy to unlock their potential to the fullest. One of the ways to support that growth is with right nutrition. Give your child a variety of cereals such as porridge and rice, and food such as potatoes. If you give your child infant cereal, read the food label and choose those fortified with iron.

Why Iron is Important?

Iron is a component of haemoglobin, a key to carry oxygen to all parts of the body including the brain. It contributes to optimum growth for your child to achieve his full potential. 

Iron Deficiency and Your Child

As something that’s so important, how will a lack of iron affect your child?

1. Affecting Cognitive Development

Findings suggest that iron deficiency during your child’s growing years may affect cognitive development.

2. School Performance

Iron deficiency can lead to poor cognitive development and chronic iron deficient children are 3 times more likely to drop out of school or have no further education and training.

3. Affecting the Risk of Iron-Deficiency Anemia

When it comes to anemia, the complication impairs motor and cognitive development and increases the risk of infectious diseases.

You may be thinking, iron deficiency only happens in less developed countries. However, there is a high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and anemia in preschool children worldwide. 

In Malaysia, 1 in 3 children under 5 years of age suffer from anemia.

What Can You Do?

As a meal provider for your beloved child at home, you can complement your child’s diet with iron rich complementary food. Fish and poultry are rich in protein, vegetables are a source of fibre, and cereals will fill the need for carbohydrates. As for iron, it can be found in foods such as lentils, broccoli and beef. While your usual home-cooked food will help encourage good eating habits in the future, you can have complementary food such as iron fortified infant cereal to support that diet.

With a balance of nutrition from a well-planned diet, you can support for your child’s healthy growth!

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