Afraid of Giving Fat during MPASI? Doctors Warn of the Risks for Child Growth

Illustration of healthy eating. (Freepik)

JAKARTA - The period of giving complementary foods to breast milk (MPASI) is a crucial period in meeting children's nutritional needs. At this stage, the little one needs a complete and balanced intake of nutrients to support physical growth, brain development, and the formation of the immune system.

Parents need to understand that every nutrient has an important role, including fat which is often misunderstood as a food component that must be avoided.

Even though fat is one of the important nutrients that children need since the MPASI period. Unfortunately, there are still many parents who reduce or even eliminate fat from their children's daily menu because they are afraid it will have a negative impact on health.

Pediatric Specialist, dr. Ian Suryadi Suteja, SpA, revealed that he had treated a 20-month-old toddler who had a body weight below the standard for his age.

After evaluating the diet, it was found that the child did not get enough fat intake.

"I'm confused, 'Is this true sir, you never use fat?' The answer is only one, 'Isn't fat bad?'" said dr. Ian in the Talkshow Bumboo Fat Oil: Natural Fat for Children Champion in Jakarta, Wednesday, June 3.

According to Dr. Ian, this phenomenon shows that many parents have a wrong perception of fat. He assessed that the rapid flow of information on social media also influenced people's views on various nutrients that are important for children.

"Parents are now sometimes afraid to give sugar, salt, fat, even vitamins because there is too much information circulating without being understood in its entirety," he said.

He explained that fat is one of the macronutrients that has an important role in supporting children's growth and development. Together with protein and carbohydrates, fat is needed to meet energy needs while helping to form various body tissues.

"Fat is a macronutrient and it is mandatory to be in every child's meal menu," he said.

Bumboo's press conference in Jakarta. (Dinno/VOI)

Furthermore, Dr. Ian said that the need for fat in children is different from adults. If adults are often advised to limit the consumption of certain fats, children actually need enough fat intake to support optimal growth and development.

In addition to serving as a source of energy, fat also helps the absorption of a number of important fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K. Lack of fat can inhibit the absorption of these vitamins so that the benefits for the body are not optimal.

"If you don't eat fat, the absorption of these vitamins will automatically decrease. Even though this is very important for children's growth and development," explained dr. Ian.

Therefore, he appealed to parents not to immediately consider all types of fat to be harmful. According to him, as long as it is given in the right amount and comes from a good source, fat is actually an important part of the child's diet from an early age.

"This is still wrong, don't say fat is bad anymore. Children need fat and it is very useful for their growth and development," he concluded.