Poor Weight Gain in Children

Infancy and childhood are the periods when growth is fastest. Adequate nutrition is necessary for children to ensure growth and development and to build the immune system. Developmental delay may occur as a result of insufficient nutrition and inadequate weight gain. Factors such as genetic problems, premature birth, neglect, abuse, family stress and inadequate nutrition can be causes of poor weight gain in children. Insufficient nutrition and poor weight gain may be described as growth faltering. Although poor weight gain is worrying for families, it is not of serious significance in children whose general health and development are good. However, if there is a degree of poor weight gain that causes developmental delay, its cause should be determined. Identifying children who are not gaining weight or developing and ensuring appropriate treatment is important, because slower growth and development than expected can lead to complications such as short stature, weakness, learning difficulties and inadequate cognitive functioning. Serious health problems may emerge, especially in children who have been poorly nourished for a long time.

Poor weight gain or growth delay in children describes not having the weight appropriate for the child’s height and age. Growth delay may result from psychosocial (neglect, abuse, etc.), genetic, metabolic and environmental (such as lack of financial resources, etc.) conditions. Since poor weight gain adversely affects growth and development, it is important to determine the underlying condition. Untreated growth delay may have cognitive, behavioral and cardiometabolic effects in the long term. In the reference tables used for growth and development in children, being lower in weight than other children of the same height and age may indicate insufficient growth. A ratio of body weight to height below 10% may indicate growth delay. Weight-for-height, weight-for-age and height-for-age ratios are other guidelines used to identify growth delay. These assessments are carried out by pediatricians.

What Are the Causes of Poor Weight Gain in Children?

Poor weight gain in children may be seen as a result of growth delay. The underlying cause of poor weight gain and inadequate nutrition is rarely an organic disease. The causes of poor weight gain can be listed as follows:

Parental neglect and abuse: Children who are abused or neglected by their families may be at risk of growth delay. Approximately 5-10% of cases of growth delay may occur due to abuse and neglect. Depression, mental illness, substance addiction and lack of financial means in parents may be obstacles to meeting the needs of infants or children. Neglect, abuse and a stressful family environment can cause poor weight gain in children, resulting in growth delay.

Inadequate nutrition and food allergy: In cases of inadequate nutrition, in addition to poor weight gain, the average height of children may be significantly low. Studies have shown that poor weight gain or a slowdown in weight gain in children can be seen especially in the early periods of life. This period is when the energy requirement for growth is highest. Inadequate nutrition may be a risk factor for failure to achieve proper growth. Insufficient food intake and loss of appetite during the transition from breast milk and formula to solid foods can cause weight gain problems. Additionally, the most common food allergy, especially in infants, is allergy to cow’s milk and its varieties. This is one of the matters to be careful about during the period of transition to complementary foods.

.Other organic diseases: Cow’s milk intolerance, cleft lip/palate, cystic fibrosis, congenital heart disease, urinary tract infection, reflux, gastroesophageal reflux, food allergies, intestinal parasites, swallowing dysfunction and celiac disease may be among the causes of poor weight gain in children. Insufficient weight gain may occur as a result of a combination of one or more medical and behavioral problems. In addition, in older children, attention should be paid to conditions such as iron deficiency, parasites and frequent adenoid hypertrophy.

What Should the Correct Weight for Children Be According to Age?

Weight assessment in children can be made according to height and age. These measurements, known as anthropometric measurements, can provide information about the general condition of children and of the population. “Weight-for-age” can show a child’s development compared with other children of the same sex and age. Growth charts used as the “international growth standards” prepared by the World Health Organization can determine weight-for-age. These growth standards are valid in almost every country and can help identify development during childhood.

The line taken as the lower limit on growth charts is the 3rd percentile, and children below this value may be described as “underweight/thin.” However, children below the 10th percentile may also be considered at risk in terms of inadequate nutrition and poor weight gain. Long-term monitoring of poor weight gain in children can give an idea of growth stagnation. In addition to using growth charts, weight-for-age calculations can be made. Dividing a child’s body weight by the average weight expected for their age and multiplying by 100 can give the weight-for-age ratio.

What Should Healthy Nutrition Be Like for Children?

Eating habits form in the early years of childhood and can affect the years to come. Encouraging healthy nutrition in childhood can affect the immune system and help prevent the development of various diseases. To ensure healthy weight gain and height, adequate and balanced nutrition should be provided from every food group. Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals are the nutrients children need. Because children generally have high physical activity, sufficient portions should be served. Packaged ready-made foods, foods with high sugar, salt and fat content, fried products and acidic beverages, which are strictly not recommended, should be removed from the diet. Foods that should be included in a healthy diet for children may include:

Whole grains: Whole grains, which are rich in carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber, are good energy sources for children. Unsweetened whole-grain breakfast cereals and breads, and whole-wheat pasta and noodles may be preferred for children. Popcorn, quinoa and brown rice may be recommended. French fries, which children love, can be eaten baked or boiled instead.

Fruits: Fruits and vegetables, which contain antioxidant compounds as well as vitamins and minerals, are important foods for children. Fresh, dried and frozen fruits may be preferred, and thorough washing is recommended. Consuming 2-3 servings of fruit per day may be sufficient for children.

Vegetables: Vegetable consumption, especially green leafy vegetables, can provide children with vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and bioactive compounds. Vegetables that can be consumed as a preventive measure against the development of many diseases are among the ideal foods in children’s nutrition.

Meat, chicken, fish, dried legumes and nuts: This group of foods is rich in protein, fat, iron, calcium and other minerals. Dried legumes contain dietary fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for intestinal health. Eating fish 1-2 times a week helps support brain development in children. Meat products rich in iron, protein and vitamin B12 may help prevent the development of diseases such as bone and joint disorders and anemia. Consumption of processed meat products such as sucuk, sausage and salami is not recommended. Nuts such as hazelnuts and peanuts should not be given whole to children under five years of age.

Milk and dairy products: Improving bone, joint, muscle and nerve function holds an important place in children’s growth and development. Dairy products contain protein, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins A and D, which are important building blocks of the skeletal, muscular and nervous systems. Therefore, low-fat or fat-free dairy products may be preferred for children.

The most important point for children’s development is to prefer nutrient-dense foods rich in content over high-calorie foods that cause weight gain. Although weight gain is important up to a point, what should be prioritized is whether the child’s health status and development are good.

Is Extreme Thinness a Matter That Requires Attention?

Thinness, in addition to causing late development in infants and children, may have certain effects on health in adulthood. Typically, extreme thinness in children may be associated with short stature, late maturation, delayed menstruation or irregularities in the cycle, insufficient cognitive capacity, and muscle and bone problems. In later years, loss of muscle strength and decreases in bone density and firmness are complications that may occur. Poor weight gain and extreme thinness in children may result from diseases, genetic disorders, nutritional deficiency, and social and economic problems. Especially among young adults, the desire to reach a “standard body” makes up part of extreme thinness cases. This situation can disrupt menstrual regularity, cause slowing of development, and lead to psychosocial negative outcomes. Unhealthy eating behaviors may generally be associated with moderate and extreme thinness. It cannot always be said that extremely thin children have inadequate nutrition, but it may be accepted as a sign.

Extreme thinness seen in children and adolescents can be defined by BMI values according to age. Extreme thinness may mean low body fat. Having less body fat than necessary may delay puberty, a developmental period. In addition, it may cause osteoporosis, anemia, and problems in pregnancy and childbirth. In young children under 5 years of age, inadequate nutrition and extreme thinness affect approximately 35% of child deaths. Therefore, especially when young children show extreme thinness, risky situations can arise and it is essential to consult a doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Poor weight gain and thinness in children are common problems. Many questions may come to mind about this. You can read the rest of the article to see frequently asked questions about poor weight gain and extreme thinness. Poor weight gain in children is a condition that occurs due to various factors. Familial diseases, shared eating habits and food choices may make thinness appear genetic. However, extreme thinness cannot be attributed entirely to genetics. Extremely thin children should be provided with nutrition under the supervision of a doctor and dietitian. If there is an underlying disease, treatment should be carried out within this scope. Healthy and extremely thin children can be encouraged toward adequate and balanced nutrition that includes dairy products, whole grains, meat, fish, chicken, dried legumes and nuts, and fruits and vegetables. By consuming appropriate amounts of all food groups, children can obtain the energy and nutrients they need. Extreme thinness in children and adolescents can lead to several complications. Extreme thinness can contribute to the development of many diseases, such as hormonal disorders, irregularities in the menstrual cycle, slowing of growth and development, decreased fertility, osteoporosis, anemia, etc. Development, immunity and cognitive functions in children are directly related to healthy nutrition. In this context, please do not neglect to have your check-ups done.