It is difficult for children to gain weight and become a topic that parents never stop talking about. This is because weight checks are a mandatory health control agenda. Moreover, for children at an early age, the weight that always increases properly is closely related to the optimal growth and development process. When a child’s weight is difficult to gain, there may be an underlying health problem, one of which is stunting .
Stunting problems not only cause short stature, but also children’s brain development problems. So, the cause of a child’s weight gain needs to be explored and handled in order to detect and overcome if the child is experiencing stunting .
So, what can be the cause of a child’s weight does not increase? Here are some of them:
1. Lack of Calories
One of the things that can cause a child’s weight to be difficult to gain is an error in choosing a food menu. This can cause the child to lack a supply of calories. In fact, children aged 1-3 years need an average of 1200-1400 kcal (kilocalories). If these needs are not met, the rate of growth and development of your little one can be disrupted. So, is there a solution to this problem? There is! Parents need to choose the right high-calorie menu to be given as their little one’s daily consumption.
Some of the menus in question, for example, red meat, chicken, fish, milk, cheese, yogurt and avocado.
In addition, your little one also needs additional fat in their diet. For example, you can add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to your child’s diet as a source of good fats.
2. Improper Feeding Pattern
Does your little one eat while playing or watching favorite shows? Or, your little one eats close to snack time? It could be the things that cause the child’s weight is difficult to gain. In fact, improper eating patterns can play a role in causing weight gain disorders in children. As a solution to this problem, you need to immediately change your child’s diet. You can set a consistent child’s feeding schedule from day to day. This is to avoid the child still feeling full during the main meal schedule. It is best to avoid giving any food within 2 hours before the child’s main meal. In addition, it would be better if the child can eat in a state of full concentration. Children should be trained to eat in a sitting condition while dealing with their intake in a focused manner.
3. Saturated on the Food Menu
Like adults, children can also feel bored and bored with the food menu that is served at home. This is normal and parents should not feel offended by it. When that happens, parents can rotate or reshuffle the food menu. That way, there is a variety of types of food served on the dining table. Giving a little decoration and an attractive appearance may also increase the child’s interest in eating. When the child is old enough, it’s a good idea for parents to have a discussion with him. You can ask your child’s opinion about what food menu they want to eat.
4. Allergies
Allergies can also be the cause of a child’s weight is difficult to gain. Cow’s milk allergy is one example. In cow’s milk allergy, all food ingredients containing cow’s milk can cause irritation to the little one’s digestive tract. As a result, the digestive tract does not work optimally. Furthermore, the digestive tract that cannot work optimally will interfere with the absorption of nutrients in the body. These conditions must be addressed immediately, by avoiding the provision of food or drink that can trigger an allergic reaction. For example, in cases of cow’s milk allergy, parents are obliged to avoid giving all intakes containing cow’s milk to their little ones.
5. Chronic Disease
Another thing that may cause a child’s weight to be difficult to gain is chronic disease. Children may be experiencing this condition without the parents knowing due to vague symptoms. In Indonesia, tuberculosis (TB) is one of the health problems that can cause this condition. This disease has also been shown to cause a child’s weight to be difficult to gain. If there is a suspicion that your child has tuberculosis, parents should immediately take him to the doctor for further diagnosis and treatment. The sooner it is detected and treated, the higher the chance of recovery.
6. Congenital Disorders
Congenital abnormalities can also be the cause of the child’s body does not rise. Some of the conditions in question, namely congenital heart disease , kidney disorders, enzyme production disorders, and the like.To find out whether or not there are congenital abnormalities, parents need to check their little one to the doctor. Thus, the child will receive a direct physical examination, ultrasonography (USG), blood tests, and various other specific tests to establish a diagnosis and determine therapy.
7. Blood Disorders
One of the blood disorders that often causes children to have difficulty gaining weight is anemia . Moreover, over the age of 6 months, the level of iron in breast milk is not sufficient for the needs of the little one. If the child does not eat a high source of iron from the age of 6 months and over, he is more at risk of developing anemia. What is anemia? Anemia is a condition where there is a lack of red blood cells, or the concentration of hemoglobin in them is lower than normal. There are different types of causes of anemia. However, one of the cases that is often found in children is anemia due to iron deficiency.
8. Infectious Diseases
An infection indicates a condition where germs enter the body and cause a series of symptoms. In addition to tuberculosis, a similar type of disease that often causes weight gain in children is urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections can be experienced by children without obvious symptoms. Children may experience symptoms, such as a fever that is not too high without being accompanied by other complaints. Other Articles: Baby’s Weight Is Difficult To Gain, Could It Be Because Of Anemia?
9. Breastfeeding Problems
For children aged 0-6 months who have difficulty gaining weight, various aspects of the breastfeeding process need to be considered. For children who exclusively breastfeed, it is necessary to pay attention to the quality of the baby’s sucking. If the baby does not suck optimally, he will not get adequate milk intake. Therefore, his body will tire easily.For babies who are given formula milk, the quality of suction from the bottle also needs to be considered. In addition, also pay attention to the process of preparing the formula milk. If the dose of water and milk is not right, the calories that enter the baby’s body also become less than optimal. Various other problems that accompany breastfeeding, such as vomiting, reflux, choking, also need attention. The reason is, these things can also be the cause of the weight of babies and children difficult to gain.
10. Psychological Problems
Make no mistake, psychological stress that is too heavy can affect a child’s appetite. A parent’s divorce, job loss, new sibling, death in the family, and other similar conditions can all affect a child’s appetite. If you notice signs of decreased interest in eating related to new events at home, it never hurts to consult a professional to follow up.
These are the various things that can cause a child’s weight to be difficult to gain. If you suspect any of the conditions above, don’t hesitate to immediately consult an expert.
