Lack Of Iron? Beware Of The Impact On Children's Smartness And Health

JAKARTA - Iron is one of the essential nutrients that plays a major role in supporting the development of the brain and the physical growth of children. Iron Zag is also one of the nutrients that children must fulfill to support optimal thinking.

In the event 'Optimizing The Small One's Iron, Supporting the Smartness of the Advanced Generation' was held by SGM, Dr. dr. Dian Novita Chandra, M. Nutritionist explained the importance of iron for children's growth and development.

According to dr. Dian, iron plays an important role in the process of mitlinization or formation of nerve membranes in the brain.

"This process helps the brain to receive information better and improve children's learning skills," explained Dr. Dian when met by Jl. M. H. Thamrin, Central Jakarta on Monday, March 17.

Iron deficiency can inhibit this process, which results in reduced concentration power and academic achievements. In addition to the brain, iron is also needed in the process of transporting oxygen to all body cells.

"The iron zone ensures that body cells work optimally, so that children remain active, energetic, and ready to learn and explore," added Dr. Dian.

Each child has a different iron need according to his age. Children aged 1-3 years need 7 mg of iron per day. Meanwhile, children aged 4-6 years need 10 mg of iron per day.

Unfortunately, many Indonesian children still lack to consume iron-rich foods, which can have an impact on their growth and development. dr. Dian explained that iron is divided into two types, namely heme iron and non-heme iron.

"The iron heme zet comes from animal sources such as red meat, poultry, and fish. It is easier for the body to absorb, which is 2-3 times better than non-heme iron," he said.

"Zat non-heme iron comes from plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruit, nuts, and seeds. Absorption of non-heme iron can be influenced by factors that increase or inhibit absorption," he continued.

If children experience iron deficiency, various health problems can arise, including difficulty concentrating and decreasing academic achievements, looking pale skin, weak body, lethargic, tired, eating decreases, susceptible to disease, and impaired child growth and development.

To overcome this problem, dr. Dian explained the results of the simulation of 150 children aged 1-3 years who experienced iron deficiency (less than 80% of the Nutrition Adequacy Rate/AKG).

The simulation was carried out by adding one portion of several types of milk, both liquid milk and growth milk, to compare the contribution of iron and other nutrients contained in it. dr. Dian emphasized that the development of the child's brain is greatly influenced by the nutrients consumed.

"In addition to DHA, iron is an important micronutrition that must be fulfilled in the first five years of child life. Iron plays a role in optimizing intelligence, especially in terms of focus and learning memory," he explained.

Therefore, parents are advised to be more alert to the risk of iron deficiency in children.

"If not treated immediately, iron shortages can inhibit the development of children's psychomotorics and disrupt their thinking." concluded dr. Dian.

To optimally support children's growth and development, it is important for parents to ensure adequate iron intake from daily foods and optimize the absorption of iron in the body.