The growth and development of children is always a primary concern for parents, particularly regarding their child’s weight. Healthy weight gain is one of the indicators used to assess a child’s growth.
Moms may feel confused when they find that their child’s weight isn’t increasing or is difficult to gain, even though they eat a lot. Could this be due to poor food choices? Might it be related to their metabolism? How can we help increase a child’s weight healthily? Here, M&B summarizes the explanations for you.
Causes of Weight Gain Difficulties
Several factors can cause a child’s weight to be hard to increase despite eating a lot, including:
- Fast Metabolism: This is due to the child’s quick metabolism. Active children with a faster metabolism tend to find it difficult to gain weight, even when eating a lot. Their bodies are more efficient at burning calories and nutrients, leaving very little or no food residue to be stored as fat. Additionally, children are generally more active than adults, resulting in a higher calorie burn.
- Genetic Factors: Genetics can influence a child’s weight gain. As known, genetic factors affect a child’s growth and development. If parents have a slender build or find it hard to gain weight, it’s likely that the child will also struggle to increase their weight despite eating well.
- Unbalanced Eating Habits: Children who prefer snacks or sweet foods that lack sufficient nutrition may not consume enough calories for healthy weight gain.
- Nutrient Absorption Issues: Nutritional absorption problems can also affect a child’s weight gain. Children with digestive disorders like celiac disease or food intolerances may struggle to absorb nutrients effectively, meaning their food intake isn’t fully utilized by their bodies. Chronic illnesses or infections can also hinder a child’s growth, as the body’s energy is focused on fighting infection rather than growth.
- Hormonal Disorders: Other influencing factors include hormonal disorders such as hyperthyroidism, which can increase a child’s metabolic rate, causing calories to burn quickly and making it hard for the child to gain weight despite eating a lot. Emotional conditions and stress can also affect appetite and overall digestive health.
Supporting Healthy Weight Gain
To help your child gain weight healthily, moms can try the following methods:
- Balanced Diet: Ensure that your child has a balanced and nutritious diet. Include a variety of foods in their daily intake, such as proteins, carbohydrates, healthy fats, as well as vegetables and fruits. Pay attention to portion sizes appropriate for the child’s age and activity level.
- Regular Meal Schedule: This can help the child’s body adapt to a more stable eating pattern. Encourage your child to eat at the same times every day, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks between meals. Ensure they eat for at least 20-30 minutes per meal to enjoy their food and digest it properly.
- Avoid Nutrient-Poor Foods: Limit the consumption of fast foods and sugary drinks that are high in calories but low in nutrients. Replace these with healthier snacks like fresh fruits, yogurt, or smoothies. This way, the child receives additional vitamins and minerals essential for their growth.
- Dining Environment: A comfortable and pleasant dining environment can enhance a child’s appetite. Avoid distractions such as television or gadgets during mealtime and make dining a fun and stress-free moment.
- Consider Nutritional Supplements: Supplements can help meet nutritional needs that may not be fulfilled by daily food intake. Providing supplements for your child should be done after consulting with a doctor or nutritionist. Remember that supplements are only a complement, not a substitute for natural or daily foods.
These are some of the reasons why a child’s weight may struggle to increase despite eating a lot and how to address the issue. Facing the challenge of a child’s weight gain can be tough. However, by understanding the causes and the right ways to tackle them, moms can continue to support their child’s healthy growth.
