Parents are most responsible for ensuring their children’s health and well-being. Discovering that your child is underweight can be a source of concern and prompt questions about their nutrition, growth, and overall health. 

If you face any kind of complicated problems regarding the health of your child, then you must seek suggestions from the best child specialists in Kolkata. 

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve deeper into the causes of underweight in children and provide actionable steps for parents to support their child’s healthy weight gain journey.

Understanding Underweight In Children 

Before looking forward to the strategies for addressing underweight children, it is very important to understand what underweight means. It is also true that some genetic causes play a great role in determining the size of the body. 

BMI or body mass index is a screening tool to determine whether children are underweight or not. A child can be typically considered to be underweight if their BMI falls below the 5th percentile on growth charts. It provides a signal for potential concerns about taking proper nutritional care of them for their desired growth. 

Underweight in children can arise from various factors including genetic factors, medical conditions, dietary habits, and environmental factors. The factors are discussed in this section below:

• Genetic Predisposition 

Some child may have smaller builds due to genetic factors that are inherited from their parents. It influences their weight distribution and body composition. 

• Poor Appetite Or Bad Eating Habits 

Children who have limited appetite or selective eating preferences may struggle often to consume enough calories to achieve a proper and healthy weight. This might happen in your child due to certain sensory activities or lack of interest in the food. 

• Medical Conditions 

Digestive disorders such as celiac disease, gastrointestinal infections, food allergies, chronic illnesses like cystic fibrosis, or inflammatory bowel disease can impact the child’s food intake habits. 

Hyperthyroidism is another significant factor that must be looked at as it is a factor that affects the food intake habit. 

• Emotional Factors 

Psychological stress, anxiety, depression, or any other mental disturbance can surely affect a child’s appetite. It leads to weight loss and inadequate weight gain. 

These emotional factors may emerge from various sources, including family dynamics, school-related stressors, or any kind of social pressure. 

• Environmental Factors 

Socioeconomic status, access to nutritious food, cultural feeding practices in the family, and insecurity of food can even influence a child’s nutritional intake and weight status. 

Limited access to fresh foods, protein intake, and healthy fats can hinder a child’s ability to meet their nutritional needs, potentially contributing to an underweight child. 

Take Suggestions from Pediatrics in Kolkata 

 

• Consult With Healthcare Professionals 

 Schedule a medical appointment with your child’s pediatrician or a registered dietician to assess their growth, nutrition, and overall health. 

For a more advanced check-up, you can opt for a child specialist at Salt Lake ILS Hospital. A professional dietician can help to assess the child’s nutrition and overall growth rate. 

• Focus On Nutrient-Dense Food

Provide a very balanced diet rich in nutrient-dense food, including whole fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and fats. Incorporate calorie-dense food options such as nuts, seeds, avocados, and dairy products to boost the nutrition for growth. 

• Creating A Positive Mealtime Environment 

Foster a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere while having a meal, while avoiding any kind of pressure to eat the food. Practicing mindfulness is very important nowadays to achieve the proper food intake. 

Encourage your child to explore new foods, and involve them in meal planning and preparation. Teach them healthy eating behaviors to promote associations with food. 

• Monitor Portion Sizes 

Pay minute attention to portion sizes, more frequent meals, and snacks throughout the day to prevent overwhelming your child with more food. 

This approach can help to ensure consistent energy intake and support healthy weight during the growth phase. 

• Encouraging Physical Activity 

Encourage your child to be involved in physical activity to stimulate their appetite, strengthen their muscle, and promote overall well-being. Make a selection of the really fun activities, and make it a compulsory part of their life routine. 

Fun activities like playing outside, riding bikes or cycling, and participating in different sports. 

• Address Underlying Issues 

You can make an appointment with pediatrics in the Salt Lake branch to address any kind of underlying issue that is affecting the appetite of the child. ILS Hospital has one of the best and most advanced childcare units in Salt Lake, Kolkata.

Making an appointment to address underlying issues is very important as it will help to determine the emotional conditions that are responsible for the child’s appetite. These types of appointments might include counseling, medical treatment, or therapy to recognize the root cause of underweight. 

• Be Patient And Supportive 

A child specialist in Kolkata will suggest you be very supportive and patient. Finally recognise that healthy weight gain takes time and may require effort. You should be patient during this time and think positively. Be supportive of your child’s progress with food and appreciate them to encourage them more. 

Final words 

If your child is underweight, it is very important to take proactive steps to address the problem and support their healthy growth and development. 

By making consultations with childcare specialists, focusing on nutrition, creating a positive meal environment, and addressing underlying issues you can help your child to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. 

Moreover, remember to be very patient, supportive, and consistent in your efforts. Prioritize your child’s health and well-being at every step of the growth phase.

Faqs (Frequently Asked Questions):- 

Q1. Is it normal for a child to be underweight if they do not eat properly?

While bad eating habits can contribute to underweight status, it is also important that your child’s nutritional needs are being met through a balanced diet. 

Q2. Are there any specific foods that can help with underweight?

Incorporating calorie-dense foods like nuts, seeds, sprouts, avocados, butter, ghee, and full-fat products can boost your child’s calorie intake. 

Q3. What foods help kids gain weight?

There are many healthy choices to help kids gain weight! Focus on nutrient-rich foods with more calories.  Include good protein sources like eggs, nut butters, and lean meats. Whole-wheat breads or rice, along with healthy fats from avocados and olive oil, are filling and nutritious. Full-fat dairy products like milk, and yogurt, provide essential nutrients and extra calories.