Child Health Day 2011 educates mothers about underweight children
September 23, 2011
News World Wide – Child health day message for this year is regarding a child’s weight. According to a research children in between 2 – 12 are underweight in United States.
What under-weighting may lead to in children?
Under weighting in itself is not a diseases but certainly is an open door for diseases to enter a child’s body. It is a common observation that underweight children fall ill faster and more often. Moreover, there are high chances of underweight children getting inherited disease once they attack because of weak immune system. These inherited diseases may include asthma, heart diseases and even diabetes.
Child health day is an observance that gives awareness about child related health issues. This year’s message for child health is about how mothers can improve the health of their children while considering the weight aspect. Here are some children weight charts:
Children Weight Chart
Obesity Chart
Here are some pointers that would help first time moms in particular and others in general to improve the health of a child. I am also mentioning some pointer for kids to gain weight.
Find particular reason for a child being underweight
1. Check for food allergies:
Many parents are not aware that a food allergy can be one reason for a child being underweight despite taking a healthy and regular diet. These food allergies do not let the food get digested in an adequate manner which leads to various and sever stomach problems. Celiac is one of the various food disorders. Kids diagnosed with this disease need to take a meal that does not involve any of gluten or wheat related ingredients. Children with this disorder loss weight very fast if any of the prohibited food is taken.
Anther common food allergy in kids is milk allergy which also results in a child becoming underweight. In such kind of situation, where you find that the main reason for your child being underweight is his/her food allergies, you must see a doctor for recommendation on alternative diet. A child with food allergies needs extra attention in terms of a designed meal as it is growing age and just cutting off any diet is never the answer to get rid of allergies problem. If you are cutting off milk from the diet of your child, you must know what alternative you have to give to your kid that will not let stop the deficiency of calcium.
Interestingly enough, research studies have not concluded anything yet about if milk helps kids lose or gain weight.
2. Calculate calories of your child:
This may sound tricky and somewhat difficult to actually calculate the calories of your child everyday as kids do not everything every day. So what you need to do is make an aggregate on weekly or fort night basis. See if he did take fish, eggs and protein related diet within the week. And so on.
Calories Calculator
If you think, that he is taking enough calories yet not gaining weight and is underweight the problem could be in his digestion. This is called digestive disorders. In such a case, children are given lighter mode of meals that digest easily and fast. Moreover, the daily meals for such children are 6-7 times a day instead of 3 meals. But each sitting involves small quantity of food. So that it is digested easily.
3. Deficiencies:
Another reason for your child losing weight can be any deficiency. One common deficiency that causes weight loss in children is Zinc deficiency. This particular deficiency causes lack of appetite. If your child is found with this particular type of deficiency, it is good that he/she takes food items that are high in zinc. These days many supplement food items are found in market that display a list of ingredients on it. Find the best or ask your doctor to refer one that is high in zinc.
4. Inappropriate food intake:
If your child just took some sweet 5 or 10 minutes before dinner, it is possible he/she will give you trouble having his/her dinner properly and then sleep all night almost empty stomach. This is one of the most devastating situations and reasons for kids to lose weight. In such a case, you either need to make sure that your child does not eat any of that stuff or make sure you give him a glass of milk before going to bed.
What can helps children gain weight?
Now that you have found exact reason why your child is underweight or is losing weight, you can tackle his/her situation accordingly.
• A mother must have a schedule for her children’s diet. The diet should include fresh vegetables and fruits.
• Milk is one of the most important and fundamental ingredient of a child’s diet. Make sure your kid does not create a stressful relation with milk, which is turning very common these days. Make it the habit of your kid to drink atleast one cup of milk every night before sleeping. And I suggest milk bottles are the best way to feed milk. Though, you will come across many that do not find bottles a very healthy mode of diet yet, personally it has worked for my both kids.
• Milkshakes are a faster and healthier mode of diet. If your kid is coming back home from his music or sports class, you should have that egg, milk and almond shake ready in the refrigerator. Try to make as much fresh juices in home as possible. Many kids like banana shake while my kids’ personal favorite is mango shake. You may also try our strawberry shake. These days mothers can find loads of milk shale recipes online.
• Have a regular weight checkup of your kid. If you find that your kid is underweight, you may use some appetizers, supplements and energy drinks.
Posted by Angelia Kates · Filed Under Health news
