If my son eats little ... will he grow little?

As a general rule, and like adults, not all children eat equally, as the nutritional needs of each individual are different but, unlike adults, children are expected to eat the same. However, although the baseline needs of children could be considered similar, as long as weight and height are the sa

As a general rule, and like adults, not all children eat equally, as the nutritional needs of each individual are different but, unlike adults, children are expected to eat the same.

However, although the baseline needs of children could be considered similar, as long as weight and height are the same, the physical activity and the stretch of growth in which they are located may vary. This greatly affects the nutritional requirements of the child. In Guiainfantil.com we answer a very common question among parents: "If my son eats little ... will he eat little?

My son eats little ... will he grow little?

Eating a lot evidently affects the health of children, since Overweight is something that, in the long run, has a very negative impact on different aspects of health, including cardiovascular health, and it also negatively affects the child's energy, since, as weight increases, the desire to move decreases at the same time apathy increases, becoming a vicious circle

It is difficult, if not impossible, to establish how much a child should eat, whatever their age, and even more complicated to decide that it is little and that it is normal for a child who habitually eats the food.

Many parents complain about the same thing: my son eats little and hence the doubt leaves if that little food will affect his future size.As parents, we must offer, from the beginning, healthy food and dem go to our children, educating them in healthy eating habits, so that little or much they eat, be nutritious and balanced. If the child is healthy and energetic, it is very likely that we should not worry.

The growth rate varies from one child to another, so it can lead to confusion when comparing one child with another, even if we do it between siblings. A period of low or slow growth should not be related to a lack of food.

In fact, the growth, that is, the final size that the child will reach, is not usually affected provided that the contribution of macro and micronutrients is sufficient, and in this aspect, children who eat little are usually very efficient at the time to maximize the use of the ingested nutrients.

In addition, most symptoms related to macronutrient deficit, fatigue, lack of appetite, irritability or lack of energy and concentration do not manifest until malnutrition is evident, when growth is affected.

Malnutrition is a very serious health problem, although it is extremely difficult to reach this situation, even eating little. When a child is malnourished, growth becomes a secondary problem, with the recovery of their general health status being the highest priority.