Bahasa Melayu
Bahasa Melayu
Free Sample ie2 ie3
  • Home
  • Growing Right
  • Factors Affecting Growth
Factors Affecting Growth

Factors Affecting Growth

When it comes to the growth of your child, there are a couple factors to keep in mind to achieve his/her optimal adult growth potential.

 

Here are a few risk factors that affects growth:

Factors-Affecting-Growth-1

Anthropometric Deficit 1

Factors-Affecting-Growth-2

Nutritional Inadequacy 3

Factors-Affecting-Growth-3

Feeding Issues 2

Factors-Affecting-Growth-4

Health Conditions 3

 
 

Common types of feeding difficulties:

Limited Appetite

  • Energetic
  • Easily Distracted
  • More interested in playing than feeding
Factors-Affecting-Growth-5

Selective Intake

  • Resist introduction of new foods
  • Rejects specific foods based on taste, texture, smell & appearance
  • Additional sensory difficulties may be present
Factors-Affecting-Growth-6
 

General Feeding Rules:

General-feeding-rules-1 Avoid distractions

Avoid distractions

General-feeding-rules-2 Avoid using food to reward child

Avoid using food to reward child

General-feeding-rules-3 Avoid using food to reward child

End meal times after 20-30 minutes

General-feeding-rules-4 Avoid using food to reward child

Provide age appropriate portions

General-feeding-rules-5 Avoid using food to reward child

Provide 3 meals & 2 snacks to encourage appetite

General-feeding-rules-6 Avoid using food to reward child

Encourage independent feeding & tolerate mess

General-feeding-rules-7 Avoid using food to reward child

Introduce new foods every week

General-feeding-rules-8 Avoid using food to reward child

Encourage good behaviour and practice time-out if child misbehaves

Reference:
1 Axelrod et al. Pediatric Enteral Nutrition. 2006
2 Kerzner et al. A Practical Approach to Classifying and Managing Feeding Difficulties. 2014
3 Katona & Katona-Apte. The Interaction between Nutrition & Infection. 2008
 

Impact of Nutrition on Child Height

Genes play a role in determining height. But your child has the potential to grow to a mid-parental height (somewhere between how tall you and your spouse measure), and one of the factors that determines that, is nutrition1.

In the first 5 years of life, nutrition has 80% influence of growth while genetics contributes only 20%2. Thus, it is important to ensure a complete and balanced diet to prevent stunting or under-development.

A few studies in the past have made some compelling arguments for achieving optimal height:

Social Prominence

Avoid using food to reward child
A study of previous presidents of USA showed that height plays a factor in popularity3. The taller candidate has won 67% of the popular vote4. Psychologists say this is an effect of the perception that taller men are better providers of resources like food and protection. And so, in social situations, we tend to ascribe more charisma and respect to people who are taller and perceive them as natural leaders5.

Success in Academics and Career

Avoid using food to reward child
Studies have demonstrated that height is correlated to better performance both academically and career-wise. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland found a correlation between IQ and height across 6000 subjects6. They are also more likely to have higher earning power at work, either because of promotions of opportunities.

Sports Performance

Avoid using food to reward child
Although height doesn’t define success in sports (it’s the effort and time you put in), there are certainly advantages to being taller athletically. Tall basketball players are better able to jump and make shots or block other players. Tall badminton players have greater visibility on all sides of the court and have a greater force behind their shots. Tall swimmers can make laps faster with more power behind their body mass and more reach with longer limbs. Whether or not your toddler aspires to compete in high jumps at the Olympics, height will definitely play a role in his/her enjoyment of sports and being active.

Optimal height can be achieved with the right nutrition. Ensure that your child grows up with complete and balanced nutrition, especially during the first five years of life.