Final answer:
Children need appropriate levels of calcium for bone and tooth health and iron to prevent iron deficiency anemia, which can affect cognitive and motor development and increase mortality risk in infancy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Children should receive adequate amounts of calcium and iron in their diets to prevent a variety of health issues. Adequate calcium is vital for the development of healthy teeth and bones and to prevent diseases such as osteoporosis, which can arise later in life. Iron is crucial for the prevention of iron deficiency anemia, a condition that can cause increased risk of mortality in infancy and impair cognitive and motor development in early childhood.
Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency globally. Achieving a balance in the diet is necessary because excessive calcium can hinder iron absorption, highlighting the importance of not consuming one nutrient at the expense of another. Good sources of iron include shellfish, red meats, seeds, nuts, and fortified breakfast cereals.