Nurturing young swimmers: The importance of nutrition in children's sport

Nutrition plays a central role in children's physical, mental, and emotional development, especially for those who play sports such as swimming. This article explored the intersection between balanced nutrition and children's sports performance, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to ensure that young swimmers reach their full potential. Childhood is a critical period for growth and the formation of habits that influence adult life. In this context, balanced nutrition is essential, providing the necessary nutrients for physical, cognitive, and immune development. Macronutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, are essential for energy supply and tissue repair, while micronutrients, such as calcium, iron, and vitamin D, play specific roles in metabolism, bone health, and tissue oxygenation (Silva, 2020; Santos and Oliveira, 2019). Studies show that inadequate nutrition in childhood can lead to nutritional deficiencies, compromising growth and increasing the risk of health problems, such as anemia and developmental delay (Carvalho et al., 2021). On the other hand, children with access to a balanced diet have better growth rates, greater resistance to diseases and better performance in physical and cognitive activities.