The role of nutrition in the growth of the child's height & bull; hello healthy

A person's height is not only determined by heredity, but also nutritional intake. Providing balanced nutrition for children has an important role in maintaining their growth in height so that they are in accordance with standards. Therefore, parents still have to serve nutritious and varied foods to support their little one's growth.

Standards for the length and height of children according to the Ministry of Health

Growth in each child is not always the same, neither is the height. A nutritious and varied diet will help its growth and development. That way, the growth can be in accordance with the height growth standards of children his age.

Length and height of boys according to age

The following is the body length benchmark for boys aged 13-24 months according to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia (KEMENKES). The child's body length is measured when the child is on his back, ma'am.

13-18 months: 72.1 cm-90.4 cm
19-24 months: 77.7 cm-97 cm

Next is the standard height for boys aged 2 to 5 years:

2-3 years: 81.7 cm-107.2 cm
3-4 years: 89.2 cm-115.9 cm
4-5 years: 95.4 cm-123.9 cm

The height of the boys who are aged is measured when the child is standing. If the child's height is below average, you can consult a pediatrician if you are worried about nutritional problems with your little one.

Girls' length and height by age

Then, what about the height benchmark for girls? There are slight differences in the standards published by the Ministry of Health. However, the measurements remain the same, which is done on your back when the age is 13-24 months and in a standing condition for girls aged 24-60 months:

13-18 months: 70 cm-89.4 cm
19-24 months: 75.8 cm-96.1 cm

Below are the standards for a girl's height when she turns 25 months (2 years and over):

2-3 years: 79.3 cm-106.5 cm
3-4 years: 88 cm-115.7 cm
4-5 years: 94.6 cm-123.7 cm

Again, every child's growth is different. Please consult a doctor if you have concerns about your child's development.

The role of nutrition for the growth of a child's height

Nutrition plays an important role in the development of children to meet the standards of children their age. Here are a number of nutrients related to growth and development, such as a child's height.

Protein

Protein functions to form, maintain, and replace tissues in the body. The daily development in the child's body requires this nutrient. Protein-rich food options that parents can prepare include eggs, tofu, meat, chicken, fish and milk.

Protein also plays a role in a child's height. A study released in 2019 states that protein increases levels insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). IGF-I is a hormone that has the potential to stimulate your little one's height.

Iron

Study entitled Anemia and Growth states that iron deficiency results in slower growth and development. Iron is needed by all tissues of the child's body during their growth period. Without iron, blood production and muscle building are disrupted.

Lack of this substance also triggers anemia. The same study showed children with anemia due to nutritional deficiencies had a sub-standard ratio of height and weight. So that the child is not deficient in iron, you can serve green leafy vegetables, prepare iron-fortified breakfast cereals, beef, tofu, and seafood.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B helps metabolic processes in the body. These nutrients also promote height growth in children. Evidence and conclusions from studies Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, and Growth in 6- to 30-Month-Old Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial in North India, published in 2015, said children with growth problems showed large changes in height after receiving vitamin B12 supplementation.

This vitamin is generally obtained from animal foods. Examples are fish, milk, poultry and dairy products.

Vitamin E

All vitamins and minerals are beneficial for one's health. For example, vitamin E helps protect your little one's cells and tissues from damage.

Apart from that, a study Vitamin E Inadequacy in Humans: Causes and Consequences in 2014 stated that vitamin E deficiency is associated with stunted growth. The study states that the levels of this nutrient are small in children who experience it stunting, that is, a growth problem with one of the signs of an under-average height.

Spinach, broccoli, mango, avocado, nuts, and peanut butter can be delicious options to prevent nutritional disturbances in your little one, Mom.

Vitamin D

The benefits of vitamin D in growing children is to help build and maintain healthy teeth and bones. This vitamin also helps the body absorb calcium.

The goodness of vitamin D for children's height is proven in studies Vitamin D Supplementation and Growth in Urban Mongol School Children: Results From Two Randomized Clinical Trials conducted on urban children in Mongolia. Giving vitamin D in supplement form for six months showed that children who received this intake experienced better height growth than children in the group that did not receive the supplement.

Parents and families can support height growth by serving processed foods from red meat, egg yolks, and salmon. Don't forget to take the time to do activities in the yard so that you are exposed to the sun at least 15 minutes and three times a week.

Calcium

Just like vitamin D, calcium that is processed by the child's body contributes to bone health. On the other hand, lack of these nutrients will hinder the child's development, such as height. Mothers can help meet children's calcium needs by providing milk, cheese and green leafy vegetables such as spinach as daily food choices.

Tips for parents to support children's growth

Parents are able to support normal and ideal height growth in children. Things parents can do are:

Arrange a child's schedule so that he gets enough rest time. In addition to giving the body the rest it needs, the release of growth hormone during sleep will help keep the child's growth ideal
Inviting children to exercise because exercise helps the production of growth hormone as well as helps bones become stronger, examples of sports that can be tried are playing basketball, swimming, running, and push-ups
Serving nutritious and varied foods so that children's nutritional needs are met

In short, nutrition has an important role in the growth of a child's height. Also make sure the child's bones remain strong for better growth. Apart from food, milk with high nutrition can also be a source of complementary nutrition for children to help their growth and development. Choose dairy products with whey protein because it has the potential to encourage height growth in children.