Nutrition is one of the most influential factors in growth. The kinds of nutrients that one consumes during childhood affect the physical structure for the rest of one's life, either positively or negatively.

　　Malnutrition does not only mean lack of food, but it also means consuming poor nutrients.

　　In other words, malnutrition means imbalance between the quantity and quality of food the body needs, the growth stage and one’s physical activities. Moderation must be observed in nutrition, because eating many foods -- especially foods that are rich in sugar, carbohydrates and fats -- irrespective of the quality and the actual requirements of the body needs, causes obesity and several serious diseases including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and stomach diseases.

　　Food is necessary for the body, but food consumption should remain within reasonable limits. It is equally harmful to consume food that does not satisfy the body’s needs or exceed them. Several diseases are caused by quantitative or qualitative malnutrition (excess or shortage). There is a strong relationship between good health and good nutrition.

　　In the following paragraphs, we will speak about the nutrients that are necessary for a healthy body:

　　1- Mineral salts and vitamins:

　　They can be found in plant foods such as vegetables and fresh fruits and they help in activating the intestines and facilitating the excretion process and the indigestible cellulosic materials it contains.

　　Salts contain important materials for bone structure such as calcium and phosphorus and for blood structure too such as iron.

　　These salts and minerals can be found in abundance in vegetables and animal products. Similarly, vitamins are very important and their deficiency causes feebleness, weakness, gum bleeding (due to lack of vitamin C), rickets (due to lack of vitamin D), neuritis and weakness of the heart as well as inappetence (‎due to lack of vitamin B); immunodeficiency and weak resistance of infection (due to lack of vitamin A).

　　Good nutrition requires a balanced and integrated weekly food menu that contains all the mentioned materials (proteins, fats, mineral salts and vitamins).

　　One of the blessings that Allah The Almighty bestowed upon humanity is that He made it possible for all people, whether poor or rich, to have a sufficient and balanced diet if we only observe integration in nutrition.

　　Dear educator, the first step towards raising an athletic child is to provide him with a healthy nutritious diet, because playing sports without good food is like a tree without water.

　　The Prophet, , urged parents in several Hadeeths (narrations) to take care of the nutrition of their children and to spend on them.

　　The Prophet, , said:

　　- {Say, "Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good [lawful] things of provision?" Say, "They are for those who believe during the worldly life [but] exclusively for them on the Day of Resurrection."}[Quran 7:32]

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