WHEN my daughter started preschool four years ago, she would fall sick almost every month. Being around other children, she routinely picked up many infections.
Rather than give her supplements to boost her immune system as some mums advised, I decided to tackle the problem through her diet.
I started adding more fruits and vegetables to her meals and this eventually made a difference in her ability to fight off infections.
Good nutrition is one of the key elements in building a strong immune system.
A recent nationwide survey titled #ImmunityMatters conducted by Mead Johnson Nutrition's Enfagrow A+ Malaysia revealed that 96 per cent of parents have concerns about their child's health in light of Covid-19 and 94 per cent believe that nutrition is vital in building immunity.
Eighty-four per cent of parents also choose more immune-boosting food for their children in light of the current situation. The study involved more than 500 parents with children above the age of one year across Malaysia.
It is important to educate parents on proper nutrition and its influence on immunity in the early years and beyond, says Mead Johnson Nutrition's medical director Dr Tan Choon Kiat.
Over 70 to 80 per cent of immune cells are found in the gut so the right diet with the right nutrients can help modulate immune function and reduce the risk of infections.
IN MODERATION
Where a child's diet is concerned, Balance, Moderation and Variety or "BMV" is what parents should aim for, says Universiti Malaya Specialist Centre clinical dietitian and head of dietetic services, Rozanna M Rosly.
Meals should contain a variety of different food from each food group.
"It is important to set the building blocks for a good immune system in the first five years of a child's life because this is the period of rapid physical and mental growth," says Rozanna.
Children also need adequate hydration and enough sleep to boost their immune system. Sleep deprivation can make them more susceptible to infections.
As for vitamins and other supplements, Rozanna explains that a child who is eating a balanced, varied diet will not need them.