Child Lost Growth? 5 Things Parents Need to Know

It is important to know that there may be a period in a child’s growth when he or she may seem to lag behind from norm – the norm as per height and weight gain. This could be due to an actual physical illness as is most common or sometimes due to a phase of not eating well – again a scenario most moms are all too familiar with! There is a sense of individuality that comes in when a child moves from the baby phase to the toddler phase – and the fussiness towards food sets in. Your child asserts his/her independence in all aspects of life, which includes eating habits as well.
 

Catching Up on Child Lost Growth

The first parameter affected due to poor nutritional intake is weight. If the problem persists for long, then height and overall growth may start to slow down. Here are five things every parent needs to know…

#1. Eating Right

We know that there is an increased requirement of protein in illness and during periods of growth. Proteins are used to build new tissues like muscle and repair wounded cells. This can be especially taken care of by introducing high quality proteins in the diet. These would be foods like fish, egg, meat, pulses, soy and paneer –  and one or more of these food items should be taken on a daily basis.
 

#2. Vitamin D (and Calcium) Intake:

Along with proteins helps in triggering the growth hormone. Hence, foods that are rich in these nutrients such as cheese, legumes, tofu, lean meat, and egg white should be a part of the diet especially during the catch up growth phase. Proper intake of zinc is also important, as its deficiency can lead to stunted growth in children. Foods such as kidney beans, spinach, eggs, oysters, and nuts are rich in zinc.

Ideally one should avoid saturated fats, carbonated drinks, and excessive sugar-loaded foods as these can cause a negative impact on the overall growth pattern. That would require you to limit food like cakes, pastry, pizza, sweets and soda to occasional treats only. As and when necessary, you may supplement your child’s diet with nutritional supplements available in the market – do consult your family doctor before you opt for one to ensure that it contains all the necessary growth-related nutrients.

Avoid growth stunting foods, such as caffeine containing drinks like coffee and soft drinks, which also have a negative impact on sleep. Also steroid and hormonal preparations should always be taken on doctors advise and in the dose recommended.
 

#3. Regular Activity

One of the best ways to increase height naturally is by ensuring that your child is active and physically fit. Regular exercise and sports have a positive effect on height. When a child is physically active, the body demands more of the healthy nutrients and consequently, there is an increase in appetite. At this time, include the foods mentioned above – and you will see a positive impact in height and weight.

Running, swimming, skipping, aerobics, football, basketball or stretching activities are a good way to keep the body growing.
 

#4. Proper Sleep

It’s a well-known fact that our body grows and regenerates tissues while we rest. Growth Hormone is produced naturally in our bodies during sleep. Growing children need at least 8-11 hours of proper sleep every night in order to reach their maximum height.
 

#5. Strong Immune System

Repeated illnesses can take a toll on appetite and slow down growth considerably. These can be avoided by regular immunizations and intake of plenty of Vitamin C (found in citrus fruits like orange, grapefruit and lemon). At times, nutritional supplements or vitamins may be needed to help catch up on growth.

 

Disclaimer: The views, opinions and recommendations expressed in this article are solely those of the author, who is a paediatrician and intended as an educational aid. This is an awareness drive powered by Horlick’s Growth Plus to help your child catch up on lost growth. Horlick’s Growth plus is clinically proven to show visible signs of growth in six months. You are encouraged to obtain professional advice concerning specific health / medical matters.