Food & Well-being: Pediatrician & Nutritionist Advice for Healthy Start

Lamezia Terme – In an era in which obesity becomes a pathology contemplated in the Lea and Calabria is the third region in Italy in terms of number of recognized cases, prevention and therefore the correct approach to nutrition starting from pediatric age is becoming increasingly important. We talked about it with Dr. Francesca Graziano, a gastroenterologist pediatrician with expertise in nutrition, operating at the “Giovanni Paolo II” in Lamezia Terme, who offers us an excursus on the nutritional problems of developmental age, but also on the new “food trends” coming from America.

How important is it today to follow a diet that is not only healthy but personalized? What approach advice would you give?

“Following a personalized diet is essential for maintaining health and preventing diseases. The effects of a personalized diet based on the anthropometric and metabolic characteristics of each individual must be these: helping to prevent diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancer, which represent chronic non-communicable diseases, the main causes of death in the world; the management of chronic diseases, such as hypertension, asthma and autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, it is essential for the development and growth of children and adolescents as it can improve the quality of life and general well-being. First of all, the main auxological parameters linked to growth are identified in the pediatric age and through the appropriate means available to the pediatric age group, i.e. the growth percentiles, the reference values for weight, height, blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose and liver function are identified for a complete metabolic framework. “Variety eating” is key, including a variety of foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. Another essential piece is “Drinking enough”, considering that our cells are made up of 70% water. Important is “Limit processed foods”. Furthermore, a healthy diet cannot ignore “being active”, in fact regular physical activity is fundamental for health and well-being as indicated by the World Health Organization guidelines. The last tip is “Be patient”: changing eating habits takes time and patience. This last point seems trivial but it is essential, also because in childhood you don’t lose weight quickly in a few months, but slowly. In short, being a child’s nutritionist is very different from approaching adulthood. In fact, for a good result, it is essential to take care of the whole family, since it is the parents who must first understand the importance of a correct lifestyle starting from nutrition”.

Today there is a lot of talk about the new American model of the “inverted pyramid”, where proteins and fats are tolerated at the base of the so-called food pyramid. What do you think? Is the ideal scheme of the Mediterranean diet still valid?

“This model places the emphasis on an increase in the consumption of proteins and fats, instead reducing the importance of carbohydrates. There are certainly strong points, such as the reduction of ultra-processed foods: a message in line with the recommendations of the Mediterranean diet. Then the increase in proteins: the inclusion of proteins in every meal can help control satiety and maintain a healthy body weight. But there are just as many “weak points”, such as the excess of animal proteins: the inverted pyramid does not distinguish between sources of animal and vegetable proteins, which could lead to excessive consumption of red meat and dairy products. Furthermore, the lack of attention to sustainability: the American guidelines do not consider the environmental impact of food choices, unlike the Mediterranean diet. So, is the Mediterranean diet still valid, without forgetting the importance of a lifetime active and sustainable choices”.

In the historical period in which we live, marked by aesthetic standards and the superficiality of relationships that leave a sense of emptiness especially among young people, the problem of eating disorders is deeply felt. What is the correct approach to prevent them?

“Eating disorders are a serious and complex problem that requires a holistic and compassionate approach. Here are some tips for preventing and addressing eating disorders: promote a positive body image: encourage young people to value their uniqueness and beauty, regardless of their physical appearance; focus on health, not appearance: emphasize the importance of a healthy and active life, rather than physical appearance; teach mindful eating: encourage young people to pay attention to signs of hunger and satiety, and to eat mindfully and In fact, it is essential to create a healthy eating environment with healthy and varied meals, and to encourage sharing meals as a family. You must then try to listen and support: listen to your children and offer support and understanding, without judging or criticizing; do not focus on weight or appearance: avoid commenting on your children’s weight or appearance, and do not encourage diets or food restrictions; teach them to manage emotions, even negative emotions, and develop healthy coping strategies. Obviously, if you suspect that your child has an eating disorder, it is essential to seek professional help a therapist or a specialized nutritionist, without wasting time on ‘do it yourself'”.

An increasingly widespread problem, even in our region, is that of obesity. What are the right nutritional tips to prevent and treat it, starting from childhood?

“Obesity is a serious and complex problem that also requires a holistic and personalized approach. The epidemiological data in pediatric age derived from the study of the Ministry of Health “watch out for health” tell us that overweight and obesity are a true epidemic in Italy with a total percentage of 39% and overweight and obesity of 19.8% and 9% respectively with a higher prevalence in the South; Calabria is always at the top, after only Campania and Basilicata. Here are the nutritional tips to prevent obesity and treating it, starting from childhood. Let’s start with breast milk: breastfeeding is the best way to prevent childhood obesity because it contains bifidobacteria and essential fatty acids, which stimulate the newborn’s immune defenses. Then the diet must simply be “balanced”: offer a variety of healthy foods, such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats, with “adequate portions”: avoid portions that are too large and teach children to eat only until they are ready. We must then encourage regular physical activity, such as outdoor play, sports or recreational activities or other, trying to accommodate the child’s liking for a particular sport. Last but not least: limit and therefore reduce the consumption of processed foods, rich in sugar, salt and saturated fats. Sometimes experience in the outpatient setting teaches us that psychological support is often also necessary: in fact, offering psychological support to help manage emotions and to develop healthy coping strategies in the process. care, to create a healthy and supportive environment”.

Giulia De Sensi