Your child’s weight critical to growth

Aug 02, 2009

NUTRITION<br><br>Having an overweight child may seem harmless, especially compared to health problems associated with under-nourished children, but childhood obesity is linked to a host of health problems later in life, such as diabetes and heart diseas

NUTRITION

By Rebecca Harshbarger

Having an overweight child may seem harmless, especially compared to health problems associated with under-nourished children, but childhood obesity is linked to a host of health problems later in life, such as diabetes and heart disease.

Some parents only focus on their child’s weight during its first two years. This is sad because weight is an important health indicator which must be monitored throughout childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

“Weighing your child is a very critical way to assessing their general well-being,” says pediatrician Angelina Mwesige of Mulago Hospital. If a child loses weight rapidly, it could be a sign of a larger illness or stress.

According to Robert Mwadime, senior nutritional advisor for the Regional Centre for Quality of Health care, if a child is rapidly putting on weight or becoming obese, he or she may have poor nutritional habits that could be setting them up for a lifetime of health complications.

“As soon as a child is born, it is important that a health worker weighs and records their weight,” Mwesige says.

“Weight at birth is a critical landmark for how the child will progress and a baseline for how they will develop,” she adds.

Maternal health has a great influence on the state of the child’s weight. Mothers who are malnourished, ill, smokers or those that take alcohol and drugs during pregnancy are at risk of having a baby that is underweight.

“Mothers should check their baby’s weight every two weeks for the first two months and monthly thereafter, up to one year to monitor growth,” says Mwesige.

The references for judging a child’s weight are listed on his or her immunisation card and can be explained by a health worker.

Although the health worker will indicate if a child is meeting specific height and weight benchmarks, especially in it’s first few weeks and month, you can also observe your child to see if they are gaining or losing too much weight during their childhood and adolescence.

According to Mwadime, mothers can tell that a child is overweight if the clothes do not fit. The child may also seem lazy and inactive.

Children losing too much weight shed off muscle and want to be held and sleep to conserve the little energy they have.

Underweight children have weaker immune systems. They easily catch colds, cry more and need more attention. Parents who suspect that their children are underweight must consult with a health worker on how to improve the family’s nutrition.

Children who consume large amounts of processed or fried foods, soda and sugary juice drinks are particularly at risk of obesity, says Mwadime.

To encourage children and teenagers to maintain healthy weight, parents can weigh themselves with their children and explain the importance of a healthy diet.

Parents can also exercise with their children, which will improve both theirs and the children’s health.

Mwadime says although children and teenagers demand for unhealthy foods like chips, fried meat and soda, it is important that parents be firm and give their children a balanced and healthy diet, which will protect them from health problems later in life.

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