The first 1,000 days of a baby’s life, including the nine months spent in the womb, are crucial for optimal nutrition. This period offers a significant opportunity to support children’s health and development through proper diet.
Good nutrition is fundamental to maintaining health and combating diseases. Brain development begins at conception, with brain cells starting to grow early in pregnancy. Recognising this is vital to ensuring that children receive the nutrition essential for their health.
A research team led by Dr Vidya Seshan from the College of Nursing at Sultan Qaboos University has reviewed and analysed studies on the impact of a mother’s diet on the future eating habits of her children.
Their research indicates a strong link between a fetus’s exposure to food flavours in the womb and the child’s later food preferences. Exposure to flavours via the mother’s diet during pregnancy, and through breast milk and weaning foods postpartum, shapes a child’s dietary patterns.
“Notably, fetuses begin to swallow amniotic fluid around 12 weeks of gestation and by 28 weeks, they develop a strong sense of smell. This early exposure to flavours can be foundational in establishing healthy eating habits later in life,” says the study.
Also, the first 1,000 days are critical in forming the basic structure of a child’s body. During this time, parents can influence their child’s nutrition by providing a varied and balanced diet. After this period, children often become more selective about their food, focusing on specific foods for a time before moving on to others.
A European study found that maternal nutrition during pregnancy and a child’s diet in the early years significantly affect cognitive and behavioural development. Vitamins like folic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, proteins and micronutrients such as iron and iodine were shown to influence children’s cognitive, emotional and behavioural outcomes.
The mother’s diet has a profound impact on a child’s early nutritional tendencies. Improving the nutritional status of children and adolescents through micronutrient supplements can enhance their intelligence scores. Good eating habits support optimal mental and behavioural performance, helping students focus better and reducing classroom disruptions.
A mother’s primary goal is to provide the best care for her child, and early nutrition plays a key role in this. Proper nutrition enhances a child’s ability to fight infections and reduces disease risk. Additionally, children who receive good early nutrition are less likely to experience speech delays and more likely to grow and gain weight healthily.
Malnutrition can delay intellectual and physical development, increase susceptibility to obesity and slow disease recovery. Therefore, providing a balanced and healthy diet for children has long-term positive effects on their health and performance.
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