What is constipation?

Constipation is when your tummy takes longer than usual to move food out of your body.

Imagine your tummy is like a train track, and the food you eat is like a train going through it. Normally, the train moves smoothly from one station to the next, all the way out. But sometimes, the train slows down or gets stuck because there's not enough water or movement to help it go.

• If you don’t drink enough water, your body can't help the food move as easily.
• If you’re sitting a lot and not playing or running around, your tummy doesn’t get the message to push things along.

It’s like when you're trying to push a heavy box across the floor, if it's dry and you're tired, it takes more effort!

Sometimes, people feel bloated or uncomfortable because the food is stuck in their tummy for too long. But don't worry, with some water, movement, and maybe even a snack like a banana, your tummy can get back on track!