The first one thousand days of a child’s life is crucial for their health and development, including their growth. Recognised as the ‘window of opportunity’, nutrition interventions from switching up proteins in the diet to behavioural change in diets given within this window according to pediatricians, have been proven to reduce stunting and help guide the children back into the right growth trajectory. Aside from this, with the right intervention in the first five years of their lives, there will still be room to reverse stunting and reach their growth potential.
Stunting has several negative consequences which includes poor cognition and educational performance, weakened immune system and increased risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases in adult life with excessive weight gain. Hence, it is strongly encouraged for parents to keep their child’s growth tracked with the help of a pediatrician.
Read on as we debunk the myths and learn about children’s growth!
THE GROWTH RATE GUIDE
The average birth weight should be above two and a half kilogrammes; doubling the weight at around four to five months; tripled by the age of one; with a two kilogrammes of weight increment per year between age two to five. Additionally, a growth spurt whereby the height of a child rapidly increases, should take place between the age of nine to fifteen. At the age of one and below, the child should grow about 25 centimetres followed by a13 centimeters height increment between the age of one to two; and around nine centimeter between the age of two to three. Above the age of three, the child should grow about five to seven centimetres in height; and a growth spurt of around six to twelve centimetre height increment during puberty.
MYTH 1: SPORTS LIKE BASKETBALL AND SWIMMING HELP IN GROWING TALLER
No doubt we’ve all heard from a relative telling us we should play basketball or swim to grow taller. However, is this true? This probably came about based on the fact that professional athletes in these sports are mostly tall. However, it is most likely that they’re tall because it’s easier to be a great basketball player when you are tall.
Gymnastics on the other hand is stereotyped as growth stunting. Though, just like how it applies to the sports above, it’s most likely because it’s easier to excel as a gymnast with a shorter height.
MYTH 2: LONG BEANS TO GROW TALLER
Protein is responsible for promoting growth. Although long beans do contain protein at 2.8 grammes, they are not as protein-rich as other beans like edamame and chickpeas, where they each contain 11 and 19 grammes respectively.
*protein contents taken per 100 grammes
MYTH 3: IT’S IN THE GENES
Genetic heredity is often mistakenly thought of as a major contribution to the growth of an individual. However, it is actually only responsible for around 20 percent of growth while 80 percent of growth is contributed by environmental factors such as nutrition.
MYTH 4: IT’S OKAY TO PUT ON WEIGHT, IT WILL LAY OFF WITH A GROWTH SPURT
Growth spurt is often heavily expected for children to grow out of the weight gained during puberty and consequently lowering the body mass index (BMI) with an height increment, even when their BMI index indicate they are overweight or obese. It is encouraged for parents to check in with their doctors or pediatricians on whether the weight gain is healthy and normal; or if it’s medical related such as hyperthyroidism.
DO DIETS MATTER?
Yes, as mentioned above, the growth of a child is mainly contributed by the consumption of proper nutrition in a well-balanced diet. From the Malaysian Ministry Of Health (MOH), ‘suku suku separuh’ (quarter quarter half) is a great way to picture what a balanced diet should look like.
It is encouraged for kids to have a diet that has more protein, parents can replace a cup of water with milk or any other drink option with a higher protein source.
Keeping in mind that these are general guidelines, if you have any concern about your child’s growth, do talk to your pediatrician.
Sources: PediaSure, verywellhealth, Business Insider, MedlinePlus
