In the era of instantaneousness or immediate results, the diet has also become fast, which implies that foods are processed and made with preservatives and additives that harm health.
Eating so-called junk food promotes obesity, which has become a serious health problem for children.
According to the conclusions of the seminar of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics in 2023, entitled
Childhood obesity: the other pandemic
, it is the most common non-communicable chronic disease in childhood and adolescence.
At this pediatric meeting, data was provided in this regard: in Europe, 28% of children between seven and nine years old are overweight and in Spain, the percentage reaches 40.6%.
“The increased risk of overweight and obesity is identified as the main problem associated with frequent consumption of
fast food
, but it also increases the risk of suffering from diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes,” says Ana Isabel Haddad, dietician and nutritionist.
“During childhood and adolescence is when customs become established, so it is crucial to establish healthy eating practices in these stages, since these habits will end up shaping the health of these children in the future,” she says.
More information
How to start 'Baby Led Weaning' safely: use soft foods with a variety of colors and flavors, and never leave the child alone
But what is junk food?
“These are foods that are prepared in a short time and have little nutritional quality;
They provide a lot of energy, are poor in nutrients, rich in harmful fats, which are called saturated or trans, and have added sugars,” describes Rosaura Leis, coordinator of the Nutrition and Breastfeeding Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics.
“Consequently, we can conclude that, in most cases, the term
fast food
covers the category of junk food,” Haddad clarifies.
This type of diet is always inadvisable for children, although occasionally it can be taken.
“It is advisable that it be no more than twice a month and as long as the importance of maintaining good eating habits is taught.
An alternative is to prepare out-of-the-routine dishes at home, such as hamburgers, pizzas or potatoes, using quality ingredients,” advises pediatrician Rosaura Leis.
The position of parents regarding junk diets involves educating their children about the importance of having a balanced diet for health.
“Food should not be perceived as a punishment or a reward, but as a fundamental need for well-being, in order to encourage healthy eating habits from an early age,” adds Leis, also an expert in child nutrition.
It is advisable to teach children to relate to foods that are considered healthy and harmful to health, because they are within their reach.
“We must remind them that there is no good or bad food and keep in mind that restrictions can be harmful, because the child can become obsessed with the food that is prohibited,” warns Laura Lorente, nutritionist at the Centta Institute, a psychology clinic that is committed to the training of its psychotherapists and supported scientific research.
Lorente adds more guidelines to educate children in nutritional matters in order to prevent bad habits that involve the consumption of junk food:
Avoid eating quickly, as it can be a sign of anxiety associated with moments of snacking, which can also cause guilt later.
One way to achieve this is to place the cutlery on the table after each bite to allow a few seconds before taking more food.
Take care of the moment of eating with details such as sitting well in the chair, using cutlery, always eating in the same place in the house and not doing anything else while, such as using the cell phone.
Try to eat as a family, because it is not only a physiological activity, but also a social and pleasant one.
Prepare food at home with quality ingredients, as a fun family activity, for example a vegetarian pizza.
Experts recommend preparing food at home with quality ingredients, as a fun family activity, for example a vegetarian pizza. Yulia Grossman (Getty Images)
“We must normalize the existence of junk food, but not integrate it into the eating routine, although if the child ever wants to eat it, it is advisable not to deny it, in order to avoid the prohibition and guilt,” Llorente continues.
This expert also explains what this type of food should not be associated with: “For example, in situations in which there is good behavior, because this type of food ends up being linked to positive things and certain emotional states, such as euphoria.” .
A healthy life flows with daily circumstances.
“It is advisable to avoid intolerance when the child can eat foods that he wants, such as on his friends' birthdays, because what is healthy goes beyond weight control, food or exercise,” argues the psychologist.
Is fast food addictive?
There is controversy about the fact that junk food creates addiction in those who consume it.
“So far, we do not have conclusive evidence to support the notion that the substances present in fast food products have addictive effects, that is, that they generate physical or psychological dependence,” explains nutrition expert Ana Isabel Haddad, who associates the compulsion to consume this type of diet with other factors: “Unhealthy eating patterns and habits that are difficult to modify, such as the speed and ease of preparation.”
However, a certain degree of desire to consume this type of diet has been observed due to several reasons: “They contain a lot of sugar and are not usually very satiating, which increases the desire to eat more.
This can be extrapolated not only to solid foods, but also to sugary drinks, such as juices," says pediatrician Rosaura Leis, who also advises avoiding certain ways of preparing food, such as frying, and opting for cooking and iron.
You can follow Mamas & Papas on
,
X
or sign up here to receive
our biweekly newsletter
.