When we talk about our baby's growth, we think about several factors: their motor development, their activity, whether they are talking or walking, or their diet. The last is considered by many parents to be a very important factor to monitor. Its influence on children's future is decisive, not only for their development, but also because if it's carried out in an unbalanced way, it can lead to problems or even habits that aren't so good for children's growth.
Children are constantly growing, with some periods being more pronounced than others. However, it's common to think that children can eat a bit of everything, and sometimes there are certain excesses that can become a regular thing and cause a eating disorder, which can lead to habits in children that are difficult to reverse.
So when we talk about children's nutrition, it's impossible not to touch on the subject of childhood obesity. Could this new weight gain be a major problem for a child's growth and development? The answer is yes. Normally, when we start to notice this weight gain, it's essentially at the beginning of the child's three years of age. That's why it's said that children's early years are important for introducing an education in the principles of a healthy and balanced life.
We went to do more research into this subject, to understand what it entails and how we can prevent it from becoming a bigger problem. We realised that for a baby to grow 25cm and triple its birth weight in 12 months, it needs a lot of activity and energy in its first year of life. As a result, there will be a very pronounced growth curve when the baby learns to walk. Then, as he grows, the cheeky baby turns into a composed child, due to the loss of body mass that is expected to continue until he is 6/7 years old. At this point, possible weight gain may be more important than the child's height.
Childhood obesity is a reality that should not be ignored and, as such, has been the subject of numerous studies because its worrying figures have been on the rise for years and have become influential in certain social factors. There are several causes of this phenomenon, among which we can mention:
- The habit of snacking - eating at all hours of the day;
- Lack of physical activity - being less active and preferring activities such as watching television;
- Genetic predisposition and endocrine and metabolic dysfunctions;
- Unbalanced diet - eating too much of something.
The influence that obesity can have on a child's health and development is extremely important, but we can also think that these associated physical problems can be psychologically significant. Situations such as difficulties in accepting their appearance and the opinions that their colleagues may share can be difficult to manage and deal with. So it's a factor that we can add to the problems that childhood obesity can bring.
We should therefore pay attention to information from legitimate institutions associated with the health sector and, in addition, we can always help prevent excess weight from the beginning. Here are some suggestions we've found that we think might help:
- We can prevent it from the first days of a baby's life - milk is essential because it provides the necessary amounts of fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals for the baby's growth and development;
- When they are fed breast milk - it is associated with a lower risk of developing obesity in the future due to the fact that it provides them with the necessary quantities of nutrients and high-quality proteins, which is perfect for the baby;
- If you can't or don't want to breastfeed - there are infant milks with the necessary amounts of nutrients and proteins for your baby's development and growth;
- At least 500ml of milk a day is recommended from the age of six months - a time of great growth and the basis of a balanced diet;
- Milk that is adapted to each baby's needs - from the baby's first year of life onwards, it is advisable to adapt the milk or formula that is best suited to the child's nutritional requirements.
In addition to these suggestions for preventing excess weight, something we want to emphasise in today's post is that this problem can be avoided if you have good lifelong habits right from the start. So it makes sense for us to leave you with a few tips that we think are essential and that caught our attention when we researched this subject.
- Practising the principles of a balanced and diverse diet - normally 4-5 meals a day are suggested, at a regular time and eaten in a calm manner; carrying out this routine among the family;
- The necessary calcium intake, from an early age, through milk - breast or infant - which is essential for a child's diet;
- We should focus on fruit and vegetables - at least two to three portions a day;
- Proteins are important (milk, fish, meat, eggs...), in quantities recommended by the paediatrician, so as not to overload the baby's body;
- Invest in starches (pasta, cereals, rice) - they provide long-lasting energy which is essential for the baby's daily life and growth; we must prevent him from getting hungry and being tempted to snack;
- Don't make snacking a habit - having a snack every now and then is not a problem;
- Soft drinks and sweets - should be reserved for special occasions (e.g. snacks with friends);
- Making the most of your baby's energy - going for a walk or doing some physical activity will allow your baby to have a peaceful night's sleep.
Today we're bringing you a very worrying and important topic when it comes to the care and well-being of children. Among the information we've gathered and the essential tips, it's necessary above all to talk about and understand how we can prevent this problem and make a balanced diet a principle from the start and for life.
What about you? Have you ever been in a situation where you had to deal with childhood obesity? How did you manage the food element at this important stage in your children's growth and development? We want to know your experience. We want to know your opinion.
