4 Reasons that cause Stunted Growth in Kids

Are you worried about your kid’s stunted growth? We will discuss 4 reasons that cause stunted growth in kids.

These points are general.
One must take expert advice with regular monitoring by a qualified dietitian.
Growth is related to diet & lifestyle, hence medical advice alone may not be beneficial.

Kids are picky eaters. They choose certain foods over others and go by taste.
New parents are overwhelmed and want to feed the child, so they provide whatever the child eats so that at least they aren’t left hungry.
They also get advice that as the child grows they will learn, so it’s ok to make such choices.
Food is a new concept to a small child. They will need some time and effort to get accustomed to healthy eating.
We cannot compromise on a balanced diet. All nutrients are important for proper growth and development of the child.

Why it matters:

Only eating a healthy diet doesn’t help. The child needs to be physically active.
Activity keeps blood circulation good and helps bones and muscles grow.
The brain develops and there is overall growth and development of the organ systems.

The screen problem:

Kids are getting used to screens from a very young age. I know parents and relatives gifting tablets at 1.5-2 years of age.
Parents are busy, want their home neat and tidy, and don’t want their child to get hurt, so the screen becomes the solution.

What to do:

Accept that your home cannot be tidy all the time with kids. If they play and explore, they will get hurt sometimes. It’s ok.
Keep child protective furniture, but do not stop their physical activity.
Take them to parks, museums, picnics, boating, trekking, whatever is possible in your city.
If both parents are working, take services from a trustworthy house help.
Let them play in mud, sand and real clay, not the store clay with chemical paint.
Do not take them to malls for video games. Take them to places with physical activity.

Kids naturally wish to be energetic, you just need to create the environment.

Why sleep affects growth:

Growth hormone depends on sleep, according to the circadian rhythm.
It is secreted during deep, slow-wave sleep, typically within the first few hours of sleep (roughly 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.).
If the child isn’t sleeping at that time, growth will be hampered.

Creating the environment:

Many parents say kids do not sleep at night. We have to create the environment.
Kids will not sleep if family members are watching TV or mom is on the mobile in bed.
Early training helps. It takes the first year of infancy to develop the habit, but after that it mostly becomes settled.

Support the new mother:

She cannot handle everything alone.
The child feels safe when the mother is feeling safe and not panicked.
The first year after pregnancy is a vulnerable time for both mother and child. Family should take care, feed them well, and be supportive.

If children fill up on ultra-processed foods, they will not eat balanced meals and will not have proper growth and development.
Sometimes even homely meals are not enough unless they are balanced.
Home made fries, pakoras, tikkis, cheelas, laddoos, cakes and biscuits prepared with lots of ghee, oil and butter are still not balanced meals.
The tummy is full, but the meals are still not healthy.
Most families do not have the habit of taking fruits, nuts and seeds, and enough protein rich foods daily. Most family meals today are carbohydrates and fats.
Whether junk is bought in packets or made at home, it’s still junk. An oats flour cake is still sugary and needs a lot of fat.
Why not nuts, dried fruits or fruits as a snack instead?

All these are very challenging situations.
In the current world, it is easier to advise than follow. New parents need guidance.
Take help, talk to a qualified dietitian and help your kids reach their genetic potential of growth.

This article is for educational purposes and does not replace personalised medical advice.

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