Benefits Proper nutrition is essential to a child's growth and development. Inadequate nutrition can lead to learning difficulties, anemia, behavioral and attention problems, and poor growth and development.
Excessive intake can lead to overweight and the development of health problems later in life.
Therefore it is important to help children develop good eating habits at a young age. Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is rapidly increasing and can lead to health problems for children. See the Childhood Obesity site to see what is being done at the Virginia Department of Health to address childhood obesity. Child Care Training Nutrition training for child care providers can ensure that children are given opportunities to learn about nutrition and health. Go to Services for a selection of training ideas.