The high rate of obesity in kids made parents worry about feeding their child too much. However, having an obese kid is not the only thing that parents must worry about, as undernourishment in children also brings about certain complications. A drop in a child's weight must send a warning signal to all parents concerned.
Young children are expected to gain weight fast, especially in babies and toddlers. According to a Professor of Pediatric from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Maureen Black, babies are known to triple their weight by the time they reach one-year old.
While many parents feed their children too much, which results to a lot of them bordering on obesity, there are actually a number of children in the U.S. who are considered as underweight. US News reported that according to the World Health Organization, in kids two years old and below, two to five percent of them are underweight.
One of the dangers associated with being underweight include inability to fight off infections. Underweight kids are also prone to suffer from colds. It likewise slows the growth of a child, and those suffering from diarrhea are at a higher risk from suffering severe complications.
The moment that a child's weight drops, it could mean that he may not be getting the right amount of nutrition that he needs. It could also be a sign of an underlying ailment. If unsure, it is best to see his pediatrician right away.
Aside from not getting proper nutrition, insufficient iron intake may also be a cause. A pediatrician from Seattle Children's Hospital, Dr. Mollie Grow, said, "If they're not getting enough iron, then they may have difficulty with developing cognitively. If they're not getting enough calories, they can have height stunting."
Naturopathic Pediatrics has advised that regularly checking the weight of babies and toddlers, including those who are older, can help parents determine if their child is getting enough nutrients to make them grow. By providing proper nutrition to children, including the necessary vitamins they need, they will be able to gain back the lost pounds in due time.
