Ravenfire
17-08-2007, 06:04 PM
Parents should allow their children to eat fatty foods to help them grow properly, experts have said.
A new study, published in the Nutrition Journal, says parents who cut out all fat from their children's diets are putting their health at risk.
Scientists have long advised that a moderate intake of 'good' fats - such as olive oil and sunflower oil - is essential for proper growth and development.
But so-called Muesli Mothers concerned about the rise in childhood obesity have forced low fat regimes on their kids.
Now researchers have shown that fats can be included as part of a healthy and balanced diet and has an important role in helping youngsters grow.
A US team, from Pennsylvania State University, compared ten children aged six to 10-years-old and 10 adults.
They found that the total amount of fat burned by children did not differ greatly to that burned by adults.
However, the children were found to burn considerably more fat relative to the amount of energy they used.
"Sufficient fat must be included int their diet for children to support normal growth and development," the study says.
"But despite this, many parents and children restrict dietary fat for health reasons."
According to the Foods Standards Agency in the UK, growing children should be given a balanced diet.
It recommends a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and starchy foods and says children need a lot more energy and nutrients for their body size than adults.
Tam Fry, board member of the National Obesity Forum and chairman of the Child Growth Foundation, said of today's study: "I think this research is absolutely right.
"Young children need more fat and energy for the whole purpose of growing up and living. Therefore to give them low fat and sugar-free products is a bad idea.
"Certainly right through primary school, children should be given straightforward wholesome food, not the kind of fancy foods that adults like.
"By that I mean vegetables, bread, fibre, and carbohydrates, without any sort of manipulation to make it 50% less fatty and that sort of thing."
A new study, published in the Nutrition Journal, says parents who cut out all fat from their children's diets are putting their health at risk.
Scientists have long advised that a moderate intake of 'good' fats - such as olive oil and sunflower oil - is essential for proper growth and development.
But so-called Muesli Mothers concerned about the rise in childhood obesity have forced low fat regimes on their kids.
Now researchers have shown that fats can be included as part of a healthy and balanced diet and has an important role in helping youngsters grow.
A US team, from Pennsylvania State University, compared ten children aged six to 10-years-old and 10 adults.
They found that the total amount of fat burned by children did not differ greatly to that burned by adults.
However, the children were found to burn considerably more fat relative to the amount of energy they used.
"Sufficient fat must be included int their diet for children to support normal growth and development," the study says.
"But despite this, many parents and children restrict dietary fat for health reasons."
According to the Foods Standards Agency in the UK, growing children should be given a balanced diet.
It recommends a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and starchy foods and says children need a lot more energy and nutrients for their body size than adults.
Tam Fry, board member of the National Obesity Forum and chairman of the Child Growth Foundation, said of today's study: "I think this research is absolutely right.
"Young children need more fat and energy for the whole purpose of growing up and living. Therefore to give them low fat and sugar-free products is a bad idea.
"Certainly right through primary school, children should be given straightforward wholesome food, not the kind of fancy foods that adults like.
"By that I mean vegetables, bread, fibre, and carbohydrates, without any sort of manipulation to make it 50% less fatty and that sort of thing."