Gut Instincts: Why Dietary Fiber Matters in Growing Kids

Dietary fibers are carbohydrates that are neither digested nor absorbed in the intestine. From regulation of blood glucose and cholesterol to treatment of constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease, fiber has an important role in both disease prevention and treatment within the gastrointestinal system and beyond. The US Department of Agriculture's 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans identify fiber as underconsumed across age groups, with many studies showing that dietary fiber intake is low in most children consuming a Western diet. Understanding which foods are rich in fiber is key to increasing intake; however, lack of variety in a child's diet can make it difficult to meet the daily recommended intake for dietary fiber. The purpose of this article is to review the importance of fiber in a child's diet, including disease treatment and prevention, and provide practical advice for clinicians and families about fiber intake for children.