‘Height is not growing … The child is lean … feed something na dar, give protein powder or health drink …’ Every middle class parents get to hear this dialogue about children’s growth. Hundreds of supplements will be found in the market from well-known brands to local products, the height and weight of children. But are they really beneficial? Or are they harming the children’s body slowly?
Aajtak.in in conversation with doctors and nutritionists to know that many parents are in danger of children’s liver, kidney and hormonal balance in the process of increasing the height-weight. Let us know what is the connection of children’s height with diet.
Height connection is not just with supplements
Senior Dietician Fareha Shanm says that the height is not related to supplement, but also from Genetics, Daily Nutrition, Activity Level and Sleep. If the child is taking a healthy balanced diet, then there is no need to give anything separately.
The most impact on children’s liver
Prof. Kausar Usman, Senior Doctor of Medicine Dipartum, KGMU Lucknow, says that it has been discussed many times that many health drinks have Hiden steroids, sinntic hormones and preservatives. These elements can have a direct impact on other organs, including developing liver of 6 to 14 year olds.
Boom in Market: But Regulation Zero
Nutraceutical industry is worth crores today. Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) had reported in a report two years ago that about 15 percent of protein powder and food supplements in the country are not safe. Out of the 1.5 lakh dietary supplements collected during 2021-22, about 4890 samples were not found right for health.
According to Senior Dietician Fareha, food supplements or nutrients we are unable to take in our diet, dietary supplements are taken to complete them, which work to meet the lack of nutrients in the body. But these supplements should never be given to children on their behalf without medical advice.
Does common mistakes do
Relying on tv ads: Increase the 2 -inch height, a difference will be seen in 30 days … Such a variety of miracles are just a market funds, after assuming their claims, no product should be given to the child.
Empty stomach powder: Many parents give supplements on an empty stomach without doctor’s advice, which directly attacks the liver.
Give health drinks mixed with milk: Health drinks mixed with milk are very high in sugar and starch.
Looking at each other: This is the most dangerous thinking when we start giving some supplements to our children.
Giving supplements without blood test: To give supplement in the body even if there is no deficiency of iron, calcium or protein, the internal balance can spoil.
What do you say data?
According to a study (2023) of The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, 30% of the parents in South Asia give OTC supplements to children without medical advice. The WHO report (2022) stated that 1 out of 5 children are moving towards metabolic disorder, a major reason for which is wrong nutrition practice.
How is the right diet of children?
According to Senior Dietian Fareha Shanam, children are right in the morning to milk, dry fruits, eggs/poha/upma and lunch, lentils, green vegetables, curd, salad and fruit or makhan in the evening. After this, you can give jaggery or kheer like roti-vegetable and light sweet at night.
What to do
Keep the growth tracker: Get the child’s height and weight checked by a doctor every 3 months.
Ask the doctor: Take opinion from Pediatrician before giving any supplement.
Increase activity: Outdoor play, swimming, skipping etc. These are natural height boosters.
Get sleep done: At least 9 hours of sleep is necessary for the child. Growth hormones are the most active at night.
5 natural boosters of height
Ashwagandha: In Ayurveda it has been considered a growth booster, but a doctor’s advice is necessary.
B12-Rich Diet: Milk, Paneer, Egg Adi
Zinc: gram, peanuts, pumpkin seeds etc.
Calcium & Vitamin D: Incense, sesame, spinach etc.
Protein: You can eat pulses, soy, tofu etc.