What is the reason for underweight in children

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What is the reason for being underweight in children

Contents

1 Causes of underweight in children

1.1 Eat insufficient amounts of calories

1.2 Pathological causes

1.3 Reasons related to the child’s environment

2 Dietary habits to gain weight in children

3 References

What is the reason for being underweight in children

Causes of underweight in children

Among the main reasons that can lead to a child’s weight loss, we mention the following:

First: eating insufficient amounts of calories

This reason is one of the most common causes and is responsible for more than 90% of cases of underweight.

The following is an explanation:

1- The child’s preoccupation and lack of pleasure when eating.

2- Babies are not getting the milk they need; Either because the mother’s milk is insufficient, or the child does not breastfeed in a correct manner, or because she does not know the correct quantity that the child needs when preparing formula.

Second: pathological causes The child may develop a health problem that affects his body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food, and the most prominent of which are:

1- Gastroenterology:

Some digestive disorders may prevent a child from gaining a healthy weight. Examples include: Gastroesophageal reflux.

2- Diseases that affect the ability to absorb food:

Such as anemia, biliary atresia, allergies to milk protein, or a congenital disorder in the metabolism (inborn errors of metabolism), and wheat allergy disease (Celiac disease).

3- Metabolism related diseases:

Such as hyperthyroidism, the acquired immune deficiency disease known as AIDS, tuberculosis, congenital heart defects, and kidney failure.

Third: Reasons related to the child’s environment

Environmental factors affect weight gain or loss, and the most important of these factors include:

1- The weak emotional relationship between the child and his parents.

2- Poverty and the low financial level of the child’s family.

3- Parents not knowing their children’s need for calories.

4- Exercising wrong eating habits: such as eating while watching TV, and not having a regular mealtime.

Dietary habits for weight gain in children

Here are the most important nutritional tips that help to gain healthy weight for a child:

First: Increase the number of calories consumed:

You can add more calories to the same meal, such as adding nuts, cheese, fruits, or toast made from whole wheat.

Second: Eat foods with high nutritional value:

Instead of eating fast food with low nutritional value, it is advised to eat a meal rich in protein such as meat and choose healthy carbohydrates such as brown rice and whole-grain products, as it makes the child feel full and provides him with the nutrients he needs.

Third: snacking between meals:

While making sure that it is healthy and filling at the same time, like peanut butter, avocados, and nuts.

Fourth: Eat small meals several times a day:

The child may refuse to eat a large meal at once, so it is advisable to provide several small meals and distribute them throughout the day.

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.