Weight Gain
Childhood is a period in which nutrition and weight control are very important for healthy growth and development. The fact that the child's weight, height and other developmental indicators are at an age-appropriate level is one of the most important signs of a healthy growth process. However, for some children, weight gain may cause difficulty in reaching the expected level. The fact that the child is weaker than his/her peers may be a source of concern for families. In this case, it is important to know the reasons why the child is not gaining weight and strategies that can help the child gain weight in a healthy way.
- Inadequate and Unbalanced Nutrition: Children cannot gain weight if they do not get the amount of food they need. A balanced diet containing adequate amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals is essential for growth and development.
- Metabolic and Genetic Factors: Each child has a different metabolism. A fast metabolism can cause them to burn the food they eat faster and make it difficult to gain weight. In addition, genetic characteristics from the family can also affect the weight of the child.
- Digestive System Diseases: Digestive system disorders such as celiac disease, lactose intolerance, Crohn's disease, which can cause problems in nutrient absorption in the intestines in children, are among the reasons for not gaining weight. These diseases may prevent the growth of the child due to insufficient digestion or absorption of the nutrients taken.
- Hormonal Imbalances: Imbalance of thyroid hormones is another factor that makes it difficult to gain weight. Conditions such as hyperthyroidism can prevent weight gain by increasing the child's metabolic rate.
- Eating Behaviours and Selective Nutrition: Some children may refuse many foods while preferring a limited number of foods. This selective eating behaviour may cause the child not to get enough calories and nutrients, making it difficult to gain weight.
- Psychological Factors and Stress: Stress can lead to loss of appetite and decreased desire to eat in children. In addition, when children feel anxious or unhappy, their eating patterns may be adversely affected.
- Focus on a balanced diet: It is important to ensure that the child gets enough from all food groups. Including breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as healthy snacks, helps to meet the child's daily calorie and nutrient needs.
- Offer High Calorie, Healthy Foods: Foods that contain healthy fats such as avocado, nuts, almonds, olive oil, full-fat yoghurt and cheese help increase a child's calorie intake. At the same time, eggs, meat, chicken, fish and legumes with high protein content should be added to the diet.
- Diversify Protein and Carbohydrate Sources: Not only calories are important for weight gain, but protein is also important for muscle development. The child should regularly consume foods containing protein. In addition, complex carbohydrates such as whole grain bread and wholemeal pasta can be added to meet energy needs.
- Make Meals Fun: Making meals interesting for children can increase their appetite. You can decorate plate presentations with colourful vegetables or encourage children to participate in the food preparation process to encourage eating.
- Add Nutritious Snacks: Adding healthy snacks throughout the day can increase a child's calorie intake. Snacks such as nuts, whole grain bars, cheese crackers, fruit yoghurt and avocado toast can be preferred.
- Make Liquid Consumption Balanced: Drinking large amounts of water, fruit juice or milk before meals can create a feeling of satiety in the child's stomach and cause him/her to eat less during the meal. Therefore, it is more beneficial to consume fluids between meals instead of before meals.
- Get Expert Support for Nutritional Supplements: If there is a lack of sufficient amount of vitamins or minerals in the child's diet, nutritional supplements can be taken with the advice of a doctor. However, these supplements should only be used on the advice of a doctor.
Supporting children's weight gain takes time and patience. Weight gain, like rapid weight loss, is a process that requires caution; therefore, a balanced and sustainable approach should be adopted rather than a sudden and excessive increase in calories. In addition, taking a positive approach to children's body image and eating behaviours will encourage them to adopt healthy eating habits.
It should not be forgotten that there may be underlying health problems if the child does not gain weight. It is important to consult a paediatrician or a paediatric nutritionist, especially if the failure to gain weight persists for a long time or has negative effects on the child's development. These specialists can help the child gain weight in a healthy way by preparing a nutrition and support programme suitable for the child's growth process.