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Should you be concerned over your child’s growth?

Should you be concerned over your child’s growth?

As parents, you strive to ensure that your child receive the best of everything to secure a brighter future for them. However, despite your efforts, there is a tendency to overlook the importance of optimal growth in your child while having to juggle between the day-to-day activities.

Growth is an important indicator for your child’s overall well-being and development1.

Poor growth is caused by several reasons including poor nutrition, feeding difficulties, frequent illnesses, and underlying chronic health issues2.

This may lead to3:

  • Higher risk of infections
  • Poor brain development and social skills
  • Poor school performance
  • Shorter adult height
  • Lower earnings and poorer productivity in adulthood
  • Increased risk of chronic diseases in adulthood

Childhood growth and development is crucial in the first 5 years of life4. By the age of 5, your child should achieve 60% of their adult height5. Therefore, early detection of any hiccups in your child’s growth and early treatment may promise a more successful future for your child.

  1. Millward, D. J. (2017, June 1). Nutrition, infection and stunting: The roles of deficiencies of individual nutrients and foods, and of inflammation, as determinants of reduced linear growth of children. Nutrition Research Reviews. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954422416000238
  2. World Health Organisation. (2014). Global nutrition targets 2025: Stunting policy brief. Geneva: Geneva: World Health Organisation.
  3. de Onis, M., & Branca, F. (2016). Childhood stunting: A global perspective. Maternal and Child Nutrition, 12, 12–26. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12231
  4. Raising Children Network (RCN). (2020). Child development: the first five years. Retrieved June 16, 2021, from https://raisingchildren.net.au/toddlers/development/understanding-development/development-first-five-years
  5. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. 2 to 20 Years: Boys Stature Weight-for-Age Percentiles.; 2000. https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/