According to the survey data of the National Institute of Nutrition, in 2013, there were 15% underweight children and up to 25.9% in stunting children nationwide. If you are worried that your child has this condition, you should equip some knowledge to identify, treat and prevent illness for your child.
What is malnutrition in children?
Malnutrition is a deficiency of essential nutrients, minerals and calories. It affects the normal life, functioning and growth of the body.
Furthermore, these nutrients also help strengthen the resistance and protect the baby from disease.
Malnutrition can also occur if the child absorbs too many calories. Therefore, you should feed your child with enough calories each day. Too little or too much leads to malnutrition.
Malnutrition can lead to a number of health problems. Besides, it also affects the physical, mental, growth and other functions of the body.
Classification of malnutrition in children
Popular malnutrition in children today includes 2 types:
Lack of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals)
Lack of certain micronutrients can lead to malnutrition. These micronutrients include vitamins and minerals. Babies need these micronutrients for growth and development.
Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)
Protein-energy malnutrition forms are all associated with low protein and energy deficient diets in varying degrees.
There are three types of PEM malnutrition: acute malnutrition, chronic malnutrition and malnutrition include the two above.
Acute malnutrition makes the young body increasingly emaciated and lose weight. While chronic malnutrition will cause children to develop stunted. With both types, children will be very thin and have many health problems.
Causes of child malnutrition
Malnutrition in children is common from the fetal stage , the first years of life as well as childhood. The causes are many, but mostly related to:
Nutrition knowledge
Lack of breast milk
Feeding the child is not enough, the diet is not balanced
Not taking good nutrition care during the time of illness ...
Symptoms of malnourished children
If you encounter the following symptoms, the mother should pay attention because the child may be experiencing malnutrition:
Children do not meet the average height standard, much lower than their peers
Baby has digestive problems, often goes out and goes many times
Children slow down, crawl even though they are too old
The child's skin is pale and the lips are pale
Babies often get sick, suffer from respiratory diseases many times when the weather changes
Children do not sleep well, or startled, fussy and crying
Children gain weight slowly or do not gain weight for many consecutive months
Solution for parents when children are malnourished
If your baby is experiencing malnutrition, mothers need:
Maintain breastfeeding for as long as possible
For children to eat enough meals, from 4 to 6 months, it is necessary to balance all four food groups: starch, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals
Besides, it is necessary for children to exercise regularly to enhance their resistance and physical condition
Provide enough necessary nutrients
Avoid giving your baby solids too early
Some other measures mothers should pay attention to such as:
Thorough treatment of respiratory infections, diarrhea ... do not overuse antibiotics, only use antibiotics as directed by the doctor, with enough doses and enough time.
Take active nutritional care during the child's illness and restore nutrition after the illness.
Fully vaccinated on schedule.
Worm removal every 6 months for children over 2 years old.
Ways to prevent malnutrition for children
To prevent babies from malnutrition, anorexia, and slow growth, mothers need to pay attention to the following points:
Breastfeeding immediately after birth and lasting 18-24 months, if the mother does not have enough milk, choose a suitable alternative milk.
Proper nutrition for pregnant and lactating mothers, ensuring that the baby is born at full term, with a standard weight and length.
Practice for children to eat solids when they are 6 months old: Give your child 4 groups of nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vegetables and fruits), without diet.
Hygiene and food safety
Protect children from intestinal infections, helminths ...
Choose fresh and fresh foods and limit the use of processed and canned foods.
Cook food thoroughly.
To detect malnutrition status or the risks if any and early intervention
Child malnutrition is a fairly common health problem. You can completely help your child overcome this situation by providing a reasonable and nutritious diet.
See more:
Surprising truth about the Child's Weight that American doctors will reveal to the mother
6 dangerous mistakes of pregnant mothers make the fetus slow to gain weight, malnutrition
Malnourished anorexia children - Do not be subjective, mothers!