”You are what you eat” – New program researches the eating habits of families with children

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 12. 09. 11:56

Proper nutrition plays a fundamental role in the physical and mental development of children and determines their quality of life in the long term. However, in Hungary, the health of more and more children is threatened by the spread of incorrect eating habits. The NutriCHEQ research program, available to all parents, was relaunched this year to explore this problem, and the participating experts expect it to help develop positive nutritional patterns in the nutrition of families with children, even in the long term.

“You are what you eat” – says the old wisdom, which is especially true in the case of children. The nutritional habits that have developed in recent years can lead to numerous health risks, developmental disorders, weak muscles, allergies, and chronic diseases – such as overweight and diabetes. In addition to the physical effects, they can also cause emotional and social problems, which makes it difficult to learn and develop social relationships.

NutriCHEQ – A new initiative in Hungary

In order to support healthy nutrition, the NutriCHEQ Healthy Childhood Nutrition Program has been relaunched in Hungary after 10 years, with the support of the Hungarian Association of Child Health Workers (MAVE) and the First 1000 Days and Danone. This scientifically validated questionnaire, which was led by MAVE experts, can help child health workers in their work, providing an opportunity for a comprehensive assessment of childhood nutritional habits and risks. The questionnaire not only focuses on the amount of nutrient intake and potential deficiencies, but also takes into account the parents’ attitude towards nutrition, thereby contributing to the long-term health of children.

Child health workers can use the questionnaire to assess nutritional risks during the 1-year screening examination in order to identify problems arising from inadequate nutritional habits in a timely manner. The goal is for NutriCHEQ to become an integral part of child health workers’ everyday work, helping families develop healthy eating habits.

“The NutriCHEQ program aims to support healthy nutrition for children aged 1-3, as a varied, nutrient-rich diet is important for their balanced growth and development. One of the most important tasks of a child health nurse working in primary prevention is to monitor the child’s development. NutriCHEQ helps us in this, as it focuses on screening out nutritional anomalies and draws attention to the development of conscious eating habits. Together with parents, we can utilize the results of the research in the long term in educating the next generation on healthy nutrition,” said Krisztina Gyetván Gitidiszné, President of the Hungarian Child Health Nurses Association.