Nutritional problems in toddlers that need to be considered by parents

Every parent certainly wants to provide the best nutrition and nutrition for children under five to support their growth and development. However, the journey in feeding your little one does not always go smoothly. There are several times when your toddler is hungry to eat, but not an appetite for the next day. If this condition lasts for a long time, this can cause nutritional problems for toddlers. The following is the full explanation.

Nutritional problems in toddlers aged 2-5 years

There are several types of nutritional problems in toddlers aged 2-5 years that often occur in Indonesia, namely:

Stunting

Stunting is a condition where the child's height is much shorter than the child's height.

The main cause of stunting is chronic malnutrition in the womb, until the child is two years old.

In recent years, the prevention of stunting as a nutritional problem in children under five is being promoted by the Indonesian government.

Not without reason, the World Bank explained that 8.4 million children in Indonesia experienced a growth slowdown.

Between 2010 and 2013, the number of stunting infants in Indonesia increased from 35.6 percent to 37.2 percent.

Meanwhile, data from the Journal of Food Nutrition, Bogor Agricultural University, showed that children aged 48-59 months who experienced nutritional problems in the stunting category were 29.8 percent.

Prof. Dr. Endang Achadi, a nutrition expert from the University of Indonesia, said that the main challenge in overcoming stunting in Indonesia is eliminating the notion that shortness is considered normal for genetic reasons.

“If it's only short, it's not a problem. But when it comes to stunting, it hampers other processes in the body, such as brain development and intelligence, ”he added.

In the Journal of Nutrition and Food, it is written that the proportion of boys and girls who are stunted, the results are not much different. 51.5 percent of children under five who are stunted are girls, while 55.3 percent are boys.

Causes of stunting

There are several factors that cause nutritional problems in this one toddler. The following are among them, quoting from WHO:

Improper feeding

Improper feeding practices for babies can lead to stunting, which includes nutritional problems for toddlers. Feeding here is not only when complementary foods (complementary foods), but also breastfeeding is not optimal.

Infectious and infectious diseases

Infections and infectious diseases can cause stunting. This condition is usually caused by exposure to contaminated environments and poor hygiene.

This condition makes the function and ability of the intestines decrease, making it easier for diseases to enter.

Poverty

Most of the conditions of poverty or caregivers who are not aware of the nutrition of children under five, can cause problems for toddlers.

One of the feeding problems in toddlers is inappropriate feeding practices. Some examples are like eating while being carried or playing.

In addition, a diet that does not vary can inhibit the growth and development of toddlers.

How to deal with stunting as a nutritional problem in toddlers

In fact, stunting cannot be cured when the child reaches the age of two. Then, how to deal with stunting toddlers aged 2-5 years? Adequate healthy nutrition is very important so that children don't get sick easily. The following ingredients must be in food:

Protein

All nutrients in food are actually important for children. However, for stunted children, there are several types of nutrients that need to be consumed more. One of these nutrients is protein because it is able to form a toddler's immune system and support bone and muscle growth.

Iron

Apart from protein, there is iron which carries oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. This allows the body's tissues to develop according to their function.

Lack of iron can stunt growth and cause anemia. If left untreated, this condition can hinder mental development.

Calcium and vitamin D.

The main function of these two ingredients is to maintain bone strength. Calcium is the main ingredient in bones, while vitamin D helps metabolize calcium. Calcium is also needed for the health of the nervous system, muscles and heart.

Malnutrition

Malnutrition or malnutrition is a nutritional problem for children under five who are too thin or too fat. Just like obesity, malnourished children under five are also at risk of ill health.

This is because the nutritional needs that are not fulfilled during their infancy can make children sick and get infections more prone to early life. This can affect the health of the child when he is an adult.

Lack of nutrition can cause problems for your little one, namely:

Short and long term health problems
The body has a hard time recovering from an illness
Risk of infection
Difficult to focus when receiving lessons

Children under five who are malnourished usually have problems with their intake of vitamins, minerals and other important ingredients.

The cause of malnutrition under five

Several causes of children under five experiencing malnutrition, namely:

Access to food

When parents find it difficult to get nutrient-rich and nutrient-rich foods, this can cause malnourished children under five.

Nutritional absorption problems in toddlers

In addition to access to nutrient-dense food, problems with absorption of nutrients in the body can also cause malnutrition. One example is the overgrowth of bacteria in the intestine.

How to deal with malnutrition as a nutritional problem in toddlers

If your little one is diagnosed with malnutrition by a doctor, you need to do some treatment in the hospital with a nutritionist. The following tests will be carried out:

Conduct health monitoring
Create a meal schedule that includes appetite enhancing supplements
Check for mouth and swallowing problems
Treat infections that may occur in toddlers

But apart from the points above, if your child has a very severe condition, you need special care, namely:

Stay in the hospital
Take a weight gain supplement for a few days
Get potassium and calcium by injection

When nutritional problems in toddlers are at a critical level, health workers will continue to monitor and ensure that your little one gets the nutrition he needs.

Obesity

According to the 2014 Global Nutrition Report, Indonesia is one of 17 countries that has three different nutritional problems in children under five. On the one hand there are malnutrition, but on the other hand there are obesity.

These various problems, for example, stunting, wasting (underweight), and obesity or excess nutrition.

Obesity is an abnormal condition because the body has excess fat in the adipose tissue which can interfere with health.

Toddlers aged 2-5 years can be said to be obese if their growth charts show the following signs, citing WHO:

Overweight when the toddler's weight is> 2 SD above the WHO growth standard
Obesity is a condition where the weight of children under five is> 3 SD above the WHO growth standard

Seeing the explanation above, it is important for parents to calculate the height and weight of their little one at the same time so that their growth is proportional. Whether the numbers match the growth charts at his age or not.

That way you don't just focus on the weight of your toddler. If you are confused about how to calculate the ideal weight and height of your little one, ask your doctor for help.

Factors that increase the risk of obesity in toddlers

There are several things that can increase the risk of obesity in toddlers, namely:

Eat foods high in calories

Quoting from the Mayo Clinic, consuming high-calorie foods continuously can cause obesity in toddlers.

Plus, at the age of 2-5 years your little one's appetite is fluctuating and wants to try lots of new foods. Foods that are high in calories, such as fast food, baked goods, and snacks.

Lack of exercise

There are types of children who like to eat but are lazy to move, this is what can make them obese. Children under five who lack of exercise can lead to problems with dangerous nutrition, such as obesity.

Usually this happens when the child eats too much but rarely moves because he looks at the screen too often to play gadget.

Family factor

If you, your partner, or your family have a history of obesity, it is likely that this will be passed on to your little one. Especially if the family is accustomed to eating high-calorie foods without doing physical activities, such as sports.

Psychological factors for children under five

At the age of 2-5 years, toddlers can feel stress and distract them with food. Children think that food can release emotions that are in them, such as anger, stress, or just fighting boredom. If left unchecked this can cause serious nutritional problems in toddlers.

How to deal with obesity as a nutritional problem in toddlers

When your toddler is overweight to obese, here's how to deal with it, quoting from the Mayo Clinic:

Limit consumption of drinks that contain sweeteners.
Over snack sweet with fruit.
Provide lots of fruit and vegetable intake.
Limit eating out, especially fast food restaurants.
Adjust the portion of the meal according to the child's age.
Limit the use of TV or gadget at least two hours a day.
Make sure your child gets enough sleep both during the day and at night.

Visit your doctor for a checkup, at least once a year. During this visit, the doctor will measure your baby's height and weight, then calculate your body mass index (BMI). This measurement is important to see if your little one's body is proportional or not.