Constipation occurs when children have fewer than two bowel movements per week or have bowel movements that are dry, hard and difficult to pass. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, constipation is common in children and accounts for 5 percent of all visits to a pediatrician's office.

Sugar is added to many processed foods, and children are increasingly addicted to the sweet stuff. Many children are more sensitive than adults to the effects of sugar. Children crave sugar, because when they have some they tend to crash as it is digested, making them want more so they feel better.

Among children between 6 and 11 years old, 44 percent of boys and 58 percent of girls do not consume enough calcium, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Not only is cheese a good source of calcium, it also provides protein and a number of essential vitamins and minerals.

Individual calorie needs vary because they are based on gender, age and activity level. On average, an 8-year-old girl should consume 1,400 to 1,800 calories each day depending on activity level.

Getting the right amount of vitamins on a daily basis helps children grow and develop normally, both physically and cognitively. A 2009 review in “Pediatric Clinics of North America” suggests the most common vitamin deficiency among healthy children is vitamin D.

Children need calcium to build bone tissue, but too much calcium can be harmful. Excess blood calcium, or hypercalcemia, causes the kidneys to work extra hard to remove the overload. Such high levels lead to the formation of kidney stones. Diet alone is not always the culprit of high calcium levels.

Children may suffer from constipation when hardened stools become difficult or painful to pass. Left untreated, the condition may become chronic, as a child becomes fearful of defecation and holds in his feces.

Eating habits develop early in life, so when children learn how to eat healthy the result can literally be life-altering. By teaching children about nutrition, you help them understand the reasons behind choosing an apple or choosing a candy bar. Nutrition-based questions for kids should start with the basics.

Eating a healthful diet has benefits throughout life. Starting a healthy lifestyle during childhood can have long-term advantages, according to the American Psychological Association.

Braces, which help to realign teeth or the jaw area, consist of bands, wires and brackets that hold a child's teeth in place.

Although sucralose, also known as Splenda, is a calorie-free way to sweeten food and drinks and generally recognized as safe, it’s not necessarily the best choice for kids – even overweight children.