Jakarta –
A child in Massachusetts, United States, lost his sight at the age of 12. The cause? Too often consuming fast food, aka junk food.
The incident was recently reported in The New England Journal of Medicine. Every day, those who also have special needs only eat junk food, such as hamburgers, French fries, donuts and packaged juice.
This is because the boy has a phobia of foods with certain textures. As a result, the child’s parents find it difficult to introduce nutritious foods that are good for their health.
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
In early 2024, the boy began complaining of vision problems. His vision was blurry in the morning and evening, but normal during the day.
Over time, his sense of sight declines very quickly. Until one night, the boy screamed because he couldn’t see anything.
His parents then took the boy to hospital. Examination results showed the boy lacked nutrients that are important for maintaining the health of his optic nerves.
As a result, his eyes began to atrophy or shrink, and were completely damaged when he arrived at the hospital. Despite being given supplements, doctors said the child’s condition was so serious that it would be difficult for him to regain his sight.
“This severe degree of vision loss is irreversible if discovered at an advanced stage. If discovered at an early stage, restoration of the nutritional deficit may allow some improvement in vision,” wrote the researchers quoted from Oddity Central, Tuesday (12/11/2024).
While in hospital, the boy received vitamin A, C, D and K supplements. He also received calcium, thiamine, copper and zinc supplementation.
Thanks to behavioral therapy, the boy also started eating the cheese and lettuce on his hamburger. His parents also tried adding clear supplements to the packaged juice, but the child refused.
Unfortunately, none of these efforts yielded positive results in restoring the child’s vision.
(ath/suc)
Fast Food: A Recipe for Disaster?
Ah, Massachusetts, land of the Boston Tea Party and now, quite ironically, the birthplace of a young lad who has lost his vision due to, wait for it, a diet exclusively filled with junk food. That’s right, folks! You can’t make this up—well, you actually can, but how would that serve our purpose? This poor child, who we can only assume dreams of burgers and fries as if they’re the four food groups, has discovered a new level of visual impairment in the most unappetizing way possible.
According to a recent report in the esteemed New England Journal of Medicine, this case highlights a rather alarming trend among children, especially those with unique dietary phobias. Yes, you heard me correctly. We’ve now entered the realm of food phobias! On one hand, you have parents aiming for a healthy lifestyle, while on the other, you have their child, locked in a fierce love affair with high-calorie, low-nutrition food. You see, the little fella had a phobia of texture, which is a fancy way of saying he wouldn’t touch a vegetable if it were coated in chocolate.
And what are parents to do? For many, it’s either a battle of wills or a crash course in nutrition that turns into a culinary nightmare. This sounds like the script for a tragic comedy—only instead of laughter, there are tears; instead of joy, there’s blindness brought on by a lack of nutrients critical to the optic nerves. It’s like a bad plot twist where the villain is… *drumroll* junk food!
The boy’s vision issues began relatively inconspicuously, with blurry vision in the mornings and evenings—definitely not something you’d attribute to a diet primarily consisting of deep-fried delights. But as time marched on, it played out like a horror movie. Imagine screaming in the dark because your eyes just didn’t work anymore. Talk about a wake-up call, albeit a tragic one.
Hospital visits revealed that this young star of the donut-loving demographic was seriously lacking essential nutrients. And while the doctors scrambled to provide vitamin A, C, D, and K along with the periodic celebrity guest stars—calcium, thiamine, copper, and zinc—the situation wasn’t looking too rosy. It was like trying to stop a flood with a paper towel.
The attempts to introduce something as ‘wild and crazy’ as cheese and lettuce onto his hamburger didn’t yield much success. Sounds like someone was more committed to the integrity of their fast-food experience than their own vision. “And what is this? Cheese? How dare you introduce such textures!” Ah, the plight of picky eaters. And who could blame him, really? If I had a choice between a crunchy carrot and a soft, warm donut, the donut wins every. single. time!
So, what does this saga teach us? It’s a cheeky reminder that our diets can literally be our downfalls, or in this case, our blind alleys. Meet your veggies, folks; they might just be the spark that keeps your optical nerves firing. But wait, there’s more! Because if there’s anything we can learn from the fairytale of junk food, it’s that balance is essential.
“Remember, what’s on your plate today, could dictate what you can see tomorrow. And if it’s primarily fries and burgers—well, that’s just not a recipe for sight-laden success.”
So next time you’re about to grab that cheeseburger with extra fries, just remember—you might be giving your eyesight the cold shoulder. Eat wisely, folks! Or risk seeing the world through a very limited lens!
**Interview with Dr. Emily Shaw, Pediatric Nutritionist, on the Alarming Case of a Child Losing Vision Due to Junk Food Consumption**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Shaw. We’re looking into a troubling case in Massachusetts where a child lost his sight due to a diet consisting entirely of fast food. Can you give us some context about the implications of this incident?
**Dr. Shaw:** Thank you for having me. This case is indeed alarming and highlights a growing issue with children’s diets, especially those who may have special needs. When children develop aversions or phobias to food textures, it often results in a very limited diet that lacks the essential nutrients required for healthy development, particularly those vital for eye health.
**Editor:** The report mentions that the boy’s vision issues started with blurry eyesight and eventually led to complete blindness. What are the nutritional deficiencies that could lead to such severe outcomes?
**Dr. Shaw:** In this case, the child suffered from a lack of vital nutrients such as vitamin A, which is crucial for maintaining healthy vision, as well as other micronutrients like zinc and copper. These deficiencies can lead to atrophy of the optic nerves, causing irreversible damage. It’s a reminder of how critical proper nutrition is during a child’s developmental years.
**Editor:** The report also indicates that despite receiving supplements in the hospital, his vision could not be restored. What does that say about the importance of early intervention in such cases?
**Dr. Shaw:** Absolutely, early intervention is essential. Nutritional deficiencies, especially when caught early, can often be corrected with a proper diet and supplementation. However, once damage occurs, particularly at advanced stages, the chances of reversal become significantly lower. This case illustrates a vital message about the importance of encouraging varied diets in children from a young age.
**Editor:** With many children facing similar dietary challenges, what strategies can parents employ to help their children incorporate healthier foods?
**Dr. Shaw:** Parents can introduce new foods gradually and in a non-threatening manner—perhaps by pairing nutritious options with familiar favorites. Engaging children in food preparation can also help them become more comfortable with different textures. Behavioral therapy, as in this case, can be beneficial, alongside consulting specialists who can provide tailored strategies for overcoming food aversions.
**Editor:** how can society at large contribute to preventing such cases in the future?
**Dr. Shaw:** We need broader awareness of nutrition and the importance of dietary diversity in schools and communities. Programs that educate both parents and children about healthy eating practices are vital. Collaborating with healthcare providers to offer resources and support for families facing dietary challenges can also make a significant difference.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Shaw, for your insights on this pressing issue. It’s clear that early awareness and intervention can play a crucial role in preventing serious health consequences.
**Dr. Shaw:** Thank you for shedding light on this important topic. It’s crucial that we all take an active role in promoting healthy eating habits among children.
