Nutrition influences children's height.
Many Chinese people do not believe that children from China are shorter than those from Japan. However,
scientific research has revealed that seven-year-old Chinese boys and girls are 0.6 centimeters and 0.5 centimeters shorter than Japanese boys and girls at the same age respectively. And the differences in the height of teenagers are more obvious. Japanese male teenagers are 1.4 centimeters taller than Chinese ones, while Japanese female teenagers are 0.6 centimeters taller. Why Chinese children and teenagers are shorter than those in Japanese? The reason lies in the nutriment that they ingest.
Nutriment plays an indispensable role in the development of height. Theoretically, the height of a person depends on the growth and development of long bones. In other words, the height is closely related to the aggradations of minerals and bone glue. When the growth of epiphysis slows down or the bone glue is little, long bones develop much more slowly than usual. If children do not have a balanced diet, the nutriment they get would be inadequate and their heights may probably be affected. A great number of experiments have shown that protein, zinc, calcium and iodine directly impact the height, while other nutriment such as iron, riboflavin and vitamin A would influence the height by adjusting the appetite and immune system of children. To help children have a satisfying height, parents should keep an eye on the nutriment they ingest through eating.
Protein, especially which from animals and animal organs, is the foundation of the height. A large amount of special amino acids like glycin and proline that exist in bone glue plays an important role in the growth of bone. However, the amount of protein, especially that of glycin, which children ingest from vegetables and fruit is not enough. Adequate high quality protein from animals should be guaranteed in the diet. Fish, shrimps, meat, eggs and diary products should be eaten frequently.
Minerals are also important in the development of height. Zinc is a necessary mineral for children. If children lack this mineral, the growth would slow down and the health of organs are in danger. The lack of zinc affects the polarization and proliferation of bone cells as well. Meanwhile, calcium and phosphor also influence the height. 99% of calcium and over 80% of phosphor of a person exist in bones. Children are suggested to eat more diary products and vegetables. When needed, calcium tablets should be taken into consideration.
In addition to the above nutriment,
vitamin A is also essential. It activates the bone cells and stimulates the working of hypothyroid. As a result, children would have a good appetite and their intestines would be much stronger. In the long run, it is helpful with the height.
Moreover, the best time for the development of height is short. The first year after birth and the adolescence are the most important periods. Parents should keep in mind and help their children to grow tall.
