Doctor states healthy fats are essential for supporting children's brain development
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Paediatric specialist Dr Ian Suracia Suteja, M.Med.Sc., Sp.A, stated that fat is one of the essential nutrients required by children to support physical growth, brain development, and energy needs during their developmental years.
During a talk show at the Grand Relaunch of Bumboo Fat Oil in Jakarta on Wednesday, Dr Ian noted that many parents still hold the misconception that fat is a nutrient that should be avoided in children’s diets. “There are still parents who consider fat to be ‘bad’, thus failing to provide additional fats in their children’s meals. In reality, fat is a macronutrient that must be present in every portion of a child’s meal,” said Ian.
The doctor explained that fats are necessary to support the development of bodily organs, including the brain, which undergoes rapid growth during the first two years of life. Approximately 80 per cent of human brain development occurs within the first 24 months, making adequate fat intake a crucial factor in supporting this process.
In addition to aiding brain development, fats play a key role in the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are necessary for eye health, bone growth, the immune system, and various other metabolic functions.
He added that a child’s fat requirements differ from those of adults. For children under the age of two, the fat portion can reach approximately 30 to 40 per cent of their total daily calorie needs. “While saturated fat is often restricted in adults, for children under two, fat remains a very important energy source to support growth and weight gain,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Founder and CEO of Barefood, Jeff Sutanto, noted that many parents face challenges in meeting their children’s nutritional needs, particularly for children who experience difficulty eating or are picky eaters.
“Our vision is to create a healthier world for children. Therefore, we want to help parents meet their children’s nutritional needs with products that are tasty, natural, and remain affordable,” said Jeff. He stated that Barefood, through its Bumboo product line, strives to provide products that prioritise taste, natural ingredients, and affordability to assist parents in meeting nutritional requirements.
The doctor reminded parents not to eliminate fats from their children’s diets during growth periods, but rather to focus on a balanced nutritional intake consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals according to the child’s age-specific needs.