If your child is underweight, then obviously you will be worried. There are many different reasons why a child may be underweight and it does not mean that he can’t ever put on weight. Try to understand why a child may be underweight and find out how you can help him put on weight.
There is a difference between your child being slim and being underweight, so it is best to speak to a doctor who will help you decide. Mentioned below are the causes of why a child may not be gaining weight.
Genetics play an important role in a child’s weight. If both parents are thin, then there are chances that the child will be thin too. This shows that the child has inherited this characteristic from his parents, and hence, the doctor may not prescribe a specific treatment. However, he may recommend consulting with experts before he confirms that only genetics are responsible for the low weight of the child.
Digestive conditions, like inflammatory bowel disease or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, can make children underweight. Your child may refuse to eat if he experiences bowel pain or heartburn. Symptoms like frequent vomiting or diarrhoea will need to be investigated further.
If your child has an overactive thyroid, he could suffer from hyperthyroidism which can cause him to lose weight. Being irritable and nervous can be common signs of this disease and he will need a detailed blood test to confirm that he is underweight because of hyperthyroidism.
In recent times, eating disorders in children have become quite common. When a child is affected by such a disorder, he may vomit after a meal, diet excessively, or reduce food consumption to an unhealthy minimum. Such a child will have to be referred to a child psychologist to investigate further.
These are the signs and symptoms that show your child may be underweight:
Your child’s paediatrician will consider various factors before concluding that he is underweight. These will include an evaluation of your child’s eating habits, his overall health, weight and body structure, medical problems and how long he has been underweight. He will ask you about your child’s diet, so any deficiencies noticed can be taken care of. He will also calculate the child’s Body Mass Index (BMI) which is a better indicator than simple body weight measurement. If the BMI shows below the 5th percentile, your child will be considered underweight.
If your child is underweight, but not because of any medical condition, then you can help him gain weight by these remedies. These easy-to-follow remedies will help him gain weight:
Underweight children need a strict diet to stay nourished and gain some weight. Here are some tips and meal plans that can help along the way.
Here are some tips that will help you feed your underweight child.
Follow this sample meal plan to help your child gain weight. Find below a list of foods that you can include in his breakfast, lunch, evening, and dinner. These foods will help him gain weight:
Along with the above-mentioned foods, you can give him a glass of warm, low-fat milk at the end of the day.
If you have an underweight toddler and despite all your efforts, if your child is still not gaining weight, speak to a doctor. He will check for any other physical and mental conditions which may be the cause for it. He may also refer your child to a child nutritionist to check this condition in detail. Speak to your child if he continues to refuse to eat food as there could be a psychological reason behind it.
Addressing the problems associated with underweight children is not an easy task as you will need to be patient and focus. Work out a detailed and interesting meal and snack plan for the day and stick to it. Do not make him stand on the weighing machine every day as this could prove to be a worrying factor for the child. Make exercise a part of your child’s daily routine and you will soon notice small but positive changes in his weight.