Although most children in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) recognize that proper nutrition is important for health, the results of a new study on children’s nutrition show a worrying gap between knowledge, attitudes and everyday practices.
The study, conducted by UNICEF, points to insufficient understanding of basic nutritional principles, frequent consumption of unhealthy food and irregular eating patterns among school-age children. Data show that almost half of children do not know how many meals are recommended per day, while only a small number of them can correctly identify the main sources of energy in food, such as sugar, fat and protein. At the same time, sandwiches and pastries dominate as the most common choice for snacks at school, while fruit consumption is much less common.
Although most children report being aware of the importance of a healthy diet in preventing disease, a significant percentage of them still find unhealthy foods attractive, including fast food, sweets and sodas. Irregular meals and snacking between meals further contribute to the formation of unhealthy habits that can have long-term consequences for children’s health.
The results of research among parents show that the majority believe that they are feeding their children properly and express satisfaction with their own knowledge about nutrition, but at the same time, a large number of them do not recognize the basic food groups and sources of energy in food. It is encouraging that almost all parents express their willingness to learn more about the proper nutrition of their children.
These findings clearly indicate the need to strengthen systemic interventions that will improve knowledge about proper nutrition and support the formation of healthy eating habits from an early age. This implies integrating the topics of proper nutrition into school curricula, strengthening the capacity of teachers, designing educational programs for parents, and improving the school environment, which should be a safe space for healthy choices.
UNICEF continues to work with competent institutions, schools, the health sector and parents to create an environment that will provide children with easier access to healthier food and clear, understandable information about nutrition, because healthy habits acquired in childhood are the foundation of a healthy life in adulthood.
