The Importance of Fats in Complementary Foods for Brain Intelligence and Child Energy
Fats often receive a negative image in society due to frequent associations with the risk of obesity and heart disease in adults. However, this perception does not apply to infants and young children. On the contrary, fats are a crucial component that supports physical growth, brain development, and the fulfilment of their daily energy requirements.
Paediatric specialist Dr Ian Suryadi Suteja, M.Med.Sc., Sp.A., revealed that many parents mistakenly equate the nutritional needs of children with those of adults. According to him, the recommended restriction of sugar, salt, and fat (GGL) for adults does not apply to children under the age of two.
“Fat is very important for children. Fat must be present in every MPASI (Complementary Foods) menu for children,” said Ian during the recent launch of Bumboo Fat Oil in Jakarta.
As one of the three main macronutrients alongside carbohydrates and protein, fat holds a large portion of a child’s daily calorie requirements. Ian explained that the first two years of life are the golden period for brain formation, where fat serves as one of its primary building blocks. Unsaturated fats such as DHA, omega-3, and omega-6 play a vital role in ensuring optimal cognitive development. Without sufficient fat intake, the child’s brain formation process risks not reaching its maximum potential. Additionally, fat supports digestive health by serving as nutrition for beneficial gut bacteria.
Interestingly, saturated fats, which are often avoided by adults, are highly needed by children as a dense energy source. Ian suggests providing saturated fats, especially for children experiencing malnutrition or low weight (underweight). Natural sources of saturated fats can be found in milk, butter, cheese, meat, chicken, and coconut milk. Parents are urged to choose authentic saturated fats rather than mere flavourings. One characteristic of natural saturated fat is its texture, which solidifies or turns white at room temperature but melts when heated.
Nutritional challenges often arise when children enter the ‘picky eater’ or ‘GTM’ (refusal to eat) phase. Bumboo CEO, Jeffrey Sutanto, emphasised the importance of nutritional density in every spoonful that successfully reaches the child’s mouth. “Even if only three to four bites are taken, ensure they are nutrient-dense and calorie-dense. One source of calories is animal fat,” explained Jeffrey. To meet this need, Barefood Indonesia has introduced Bumboo Fat Oil, featuring variants of beef fat, chicken fat, and olive oil without preservatives or artificial flavours.
Similarly, parenting content creator Umma Mega shared tips for dealing with children who are difficult to feed. Based on her experience living in Japan, an appetizing food aroma is key. Using additional fats with natural aromas, such as onion, can help increase a child’s appetite while fulfilling their essential fat requirements.
Ultimately, proper fat intake in the early stages of life is a long-term investment in a child’s future health and intelligence.