Thinness in children
Thinness in children
Thinness in children
Contents
1 Treatment of thinness in children
1.1 Diet
1.2 Aerobic exercise
1.3 Tips to encourage the child to eat
2 A look at thinness in children
3 signs of thinness in children
4 factors that increase children’s exposure to thinness
5 risks of thinness in children
6 References
Treatment of thinness in children
A-Diet
Children need a balanced diet that provides their bodies with the necessary calories and nutrients,
Some might think that a child who is underweight can be given high-calorie foods, such as:
Sweets, cakes, chocolates, sugary and fatty foods and drinks,
However, these foods are considered unhealthy and may be harmful to the child’s health.
Therefore, the child should gain weight in a healthy way by eating a balanced diet.
The following are some measures to ensure that children who suffer from thinness get a healthy diet:
1- Ensure that most of the meals and snacks the child eats are rich in nutrients.
As protein, vitamins, and minerals in addition to carbohydrates.
2- Giving the child no less than 5 daily portions of a variety of vegetables and fruits.
3- Offer dairy products or their substitutes to the child; Such as soy milk, among others, taking care to choose the low-fat and low-sugar varieties.
4- Introduce protein-rich foods to the child.
Such as legumes, meat, eggs, fish, and other protein-rich foods,
And make sure to provide two servings of fish per week; One of them is oily fish. Like salmon, or mackerel.
5- Using unsaturated oils, and using them in small quantities.
6- Introducing good quantities of fluids to the child.
It is noteworthy that the best drinks for children over a year old are; Water, whole cow’s milk,
On the other hand, it must be taken care not to provide the child with large quantities of fluids in order not to affect the amount of food that the child will eat.
Which leads to a decrease in the intake of calories and the necessary nutrients for his body.
Note:
* It may be recommended to provide children over the age of two years with low-fat milk instead of full-fat
And that is if they grow well for their ages, and they get a varied diet,
However, if the child is thin, the doctor may recommend that you continue providing him with whole milk.
* If weight gain is not achieved, it is recommended to consult a doctor;
To make sure there are no health problems, or you can follow up with a dietitian. To get the necessary advice,
* It may be advised in some cases to provide nutritional supplements to the child,
And after consulting a nutritionist and under his supervision,
* And in some cases, in children who refuse to try new foods.
The specialist may advise them to provide them with a high-calorie nutritional supplement in the form of a drink.
B – Athletic exercises
Physical activity helps improve the health and strength of bones and muscles in children.
It is also a good way to enhance children’s feelings of enjoyment.
Therefore, children need physical activity even if they are thin, and it is worth noting that healthy children over the age of 5 years need to engage in physical activity for a period of not less than 60 minutes a day,
While it is advisable to consult a specialist to determine the amount of activity that a child who suffers from thinness should exert,
On the other hand, it should be noted that heavy sports such as weightlifting are dangerous
As these sports do not help build muscle in children, rather they may be harmful,
These types of exercise can cause damage to bones, joints, and muscles when exercised incorrectly.
C- Tips to encourage the child to eat
Establishing good nutritional habits for the child can be made by making sure to choose healthy and beneficial foods.
There are many tips to encourage the child to eat, including the following:
1- Make mealtime fun.
This is done by encouraging children to participate in meal planning, shopping, and preparing food, which motivates them to enjoy and eat it.
2- Offering 4 to 5 small meals to the child daily instead of three large meals;
Often the child will not be able to eat large meals completely, so it is best to divide them into smaller meals and distribute them throughout the day.
3- Provide the types of foods rich in calories and nutrients;
That is, those that contain a good amount of calories even if their size is small, instead of providing him with large quantities of food that is difficult for him to eat,
It should be noted that the term Energy density expresses the amount of calories in one gram of food.
Foods with higher energy density usually contain more fat.
We mention some examples of foods with high energy density:
- Cheese.
- Whole milk; As adding it to different foods increases its nutritional value and the number of calories in it.
- Chickpeas and other legumes used for snacking can provide the body with protein, fats, and calories.
- Nuts, nut butter, seeds, and avocados; These foods are a source of healthy fats that help the baby to gain weight.
- Smoothie juice; It can be eaten with breakfast or snacks, and fruits, whole milk, and seeds can be used in its preparation.
4- Providing the child with fruits and vegetables as snacks.
Where fruits can be washed, chopped, and then stored in the refrigerator.
5- Parents’ keenness to eat a variety of healthy foods; To be role models for their two children.
6- Creativity in preparing food, and making its appearance likable to children, for example;
Add broccoli or green pepper to a plate of spinach.
Or mixing grains with pieces of fruit,
Or add shredded carrots to food dishes and soups.
7- Reducing distractions while eating; Such as television, and other electronic devices, to help the child focus on food.
Signs of thinness in children
There are many signs of child thinness that parents should watch, including:
- A percentage decrease in weight on growth charts at regular visits to the pediatrician.
- The child’s clothing size does not change in each season from the previous season.
- The presence of prominent ribs in the child’s body; may be a sign of being thin.
- A lack of child growth.
İmportant notice:
The content of the submitted articles, including all text, graphics, images, and other materials, is provided for educational purposes only.
The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice or professional diagnosis.
Moreover, the information on this website should not be taken as final medical advice in relation to any case or individual situation.
We strongly recommend that you always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health service provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical condition, your general health, or the health of your child.
References
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