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Food behavior disorder in children.. Increased age and body mass index

eating behavior disorders:

This systematic review and meta-analysis of 32 studies involving a total of 63,000 participants from 16 countries reveals an alarming proportion of children and adolescents suffering from eating disorders (ED): thus 22% of those under 18 are concerned. , with an even higher prevalence in girls, as well as with increasing age and body mass index (BMI). These data, published in JAMA Pediatrics, underscore the urgency of implementing ED prevention strategies in young people.

Researchers from various Spanish research institutes and the T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University (Boston) point out that the 5-item Sick, Control, One, Fat, Food (SCOFF) questionnaire is the most widely used screening measure. used to detect and assess ED. If the tool exists and is recognized, no meta-analysis had, until then, specified the prevalence of these disorders in children and young people.

Nearly 1 in 3 girls suffers from TCA:

The study analyzed data from 63,181 children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 assessed by the SCOFF questionnaire, free from physical or mental disorders, the data having been collected outside the COVID-19 period. The analysis reveals a very high proportion of young people with eating disorders:

the overall proportion of children and adolescents with eating disorders is 22.36%.
girls are significantly more likely to develop an ED (30.03%) than boys (16.98%).
the prevalence of eating disorders increases with age and body mass index (BMI).

This analysis carried out on a very large sample, in terms of participants, age groups and country of residence, demonstrates a real rise in eating disorders among the youngest, simultaneously with the obesity epidemic.

A worrying increase that calls for the urgent implementation of ED prevention strategies, including in the fight against obesity.

Precautions to be taken while feeding your child papaya fruit:

Take care to eat only ripe papaya fruits for children and babies. This is due to the presence of certain biochemicals that are known to cause stomach pain and cramps due to excessive consumption of unripe papaya. This also applies to papaya leaves and its seeds.
Papaya can be introduced into the diet of the baby when he is above the age of eight months, as the baby can eat no more than 2-3 teaspoons at first and increase the amount by about half a teaspoon to a teaspoon every week.
When introducing papaya fruit into the child’s diet, please make sure that the child is tested for four days before feeding the child regularly and in larger quantities, in order to find out if the child is allergic to papaya or not.
Overfeeding papaya can cause stomach ache in children, so the amount of papaya fruit should be limited
Care should be taken to avoid giving raw papaya to a child if he or she is suffering from cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a serious condition known as colitis.
Pregnant women should not eat unripe papaya as it causes miscarriage but the ripe fruit can be consumed but in small quantities.
Avoid adding honey to dried papaya seeds for an infant (less than 12 months), as there is a risk of infant botulism.

Papaya Fruit and Pregnancy:

There are many misconceptions about papaya being an abortifacient and that it is a contraceptive, and this is true to some extent because the unripe fruit which has few biochemicals can cause miscarriage and contraception but the more ripe the fruit and the fewer abortion biochemicals this disappears. .

Papaya fruit for infants and children:

Papaya is one of the best fruits that can be given to children for better health, as papaya fruit contains many health benefits that come from vitamins, minerals and bioactive chemicals, and it can be eaten by infants from the age of eight months.

Some of the traditional uses of papaya:

The traditional use of papaya as a medicine can be traced back thousands of years, and the whole plant has been used for its medicinal properties and ability to treat many ailments, the most famous of which are indigestion and diarrhea.

Papaya nutritional value:

Every 100 grams of papaya contains a great nutritional value represented in the following:

Energy 43 calories, fat 0.26g, carbohydrates 10.82g, total fiber 1.7g, sugar 7.82g, calcium 20mg, iron 0.25mg, magnesium 21mg, phosphorus 10mg, potassium 182mg, sodium 8mg, zinc 0.08mg, vitamin C 60 mg, thiamine 0.023 mg, riboflavin 0.027 mg, niacin 0.357 mg, vitamin B-6 0.038 mg, folate 37 mcg, vitamin A 950 mcg, vitamin E 0.3, vitamin K 2.6 mcg.

Papaya health benefits:

There are many health benefits provided by the papaya fruit, including the following:

Ideal food for babies and children:

Papaya contains many different vitamins and minerals, making it an ideal food for infants and children under one year of age, as these vitamins and minerals are very necessary for bone growth, brain development, increased child immunity and whole body development during the first months of the child.

It contains many essential vitamins and minerals:

It contains vitamin A, which enhances the power of vision and works to reduce the chances of developing night blindness and remove growth disorders. It also contains vitamin B, which is useful in strengthening the heart muscles, intestinal muscles, skeletal muscles, and developing a healthy brain by strengthening nerve cells, too. Papaya contains Vitamin B3 which promotes the formation of new cells, repair of old and damaged genetic information and promotes a healthy nervous and digestive system. Papaya also contains a high percentage of calcium and magnesium for proper bone and tooth health. The iron present in papaya can maintain healthy hemoglobin levels and red blood cell count. .

Strengthens the immune system:

Eating natural foods like fruits and vegetables strengthens the immune system and fights off the microbes that invade the body, and papaya is one such fruit that has actually been shown to be effective in strengthening and boosting the immune system.

Improves digestion:

Indigestion can be easily removed by eating papaya fruit. Mostly, indigestion can be seen in infants and children due to a weak digestive system. By feeding a child papaya, one can make sure that indigestion never bothers them. There are also notes in historical writings about the experiences of Spanish soldiers who They were eating papaya and their indigestion completely disappeared.

Natural laxative:

Eating papaya is also beneficial in controlling constipation in the body. The dietary fiber present in papaya is ideal for regulating bowel movements.

Treatment of parasitic worms:

Infants and children usually face the problem of parasitic worms in their intestines. There are different types of worms that can infect the digestive tract of a child. Giving them a small amount of dried papaya seeds with honey can be very beneficial in controlling parasitic intestinal worms.

Skin ulcer control:

Papaya fruit is very useful in controlling skin ulcers and burns, and the pulp of the fruit can be used to prevent burn infections.

Good for digestion:

The enzymes found in papaya are very effective in improving the digestive process, and it is usually used as a laxative while cooking meat and also helps in the digestion process for children. Papaya can be given in small doses to children with celiac disease.

Drinks prohibited for mothers and young children:

There are some prohibitions that mothers must completely avoid when offering them to young children, including what is prohibited during the breastfeeding age and allowed after the end of the first year. We offer some prohibited drinks for young children and what are their alternatives.

Soft drinks:

No soft drinks during childhood, and it is better if you can completely, even during adolescence, and always. You should also avoid them, as soft drinks in their entirety are very harmful to the digestive system and to the bones and their health as well, because they cause osteoporosis, in addition to cola in particular, which is the most harmful black drink. For digestion, or any other types if not after food.

Ready juices:

Although I have assured you that natural juices are the alternative to soft drinks, I mean homemade juices. Prepared juices are not actually natural juices. They are full of flavor and color and are highly sweetened, with little or no natural juice. In addition to poor storage sometimes.

Make natural juices from seasonal fruits at home and serve them to your little ones as fresh as they like.

Highly sweetened drinks:

Any highly sweetened drinks are not allowed, and the human tendency for sweetened or even salty dishes and drinks comes with getting used to. Accustom your children to the least possible sweetener, and try to sweeten with diluted honey instead of sugar, provided that it is natural honey, whether white or black.

Energy drinks:

Energy drinks in the market are among the most harmful drinks because they contain caffeine, high sugars, and some substances that raise the energy level in the body, such as inositol and ginseng. Together, the substances bring great harm to both the nervous and digestive systems.

Creamy and fatty drinks:

Milkshakes available in cafes and restaurants are very creamy drinks, especially with the addition of cream, melted chocolate, and so on. If you allow your child to eat it once, there is no objection, but it is not preferable to repeat the matter often. It is not allowed to be taken by anyone under two years of age, so as not to affect the stomach. Serve it to him at home with low-fat milk without a lot of cream and chocolate

Tea, coffee and stimulants:

It is not preferable for children to drink any stimulant drinks such as tea of all kinds, coffee of all kinds, as well as cola, as it contains caffeine.

After passing part of the teenage age, children are allowed to have a cup of tea or a cup of coffee while studying, provided that they never eat more than two a day so as not to affect the nervous system and not to get used to the young child strongly.

Reasons why the infant puts everything he holds in his mouth:

Have you noticed recently that your child tends to put everything he holds in his mouth, and you are still searching for the reasons associated with this condition in order to make it easier for you to deal with it. Here are the most prominent of these reasons:

The child, from the age of two to three years, resorts to placing objects and toys in particular in his mouth in an attempt to explore them or to recognize their taste. Here we advise you to pay attention to the type of toys that you give him and to avoid small pieces that your child could swallow when placed in his mouth, with the need to sterilize them before giving them to him.

The child generally feels noticeable pain and discomfort at the level of his gums during the teething period, which prompts him to put whatever he is holding in his mouth and press on the gums in an attempt to reduce this pain. This step is often accompanied by drooling and noticeable redness of the gums.

The child sometimes tries to occupy himself by putting his finger in his mouth, as this step seems amusing to him, and he also resorts to that when he feels tense or nervous.

The child feels a great desire to discover the taste of the foods he notices, which prompts him to put them in his mouth. Sometimes he also tends to dip his finger in the drinks and then put it in his mouth in order to get to know its taste.

baby weight:

Many questions come to the mother’s mind about her newborn and how to deal with him, and one of the most important things that the mother thinks about is the weight of her infant and knowing whether her infant is taking enough breastfeeding, and often mothers resort to artificial feeding and giving snacks to the child after he exceeds 5 months, and she must Every mother knows the normal weight of the child at every age stage he goes through so that she does not worry about his weight.

From the moment of his birth, the infant is born with a weight ranging from 2.5 kilograms to 4 kilograms, and during the first month after birth, he loses a little weight, which is normal, and at the age of 3 months, the weight of the child begins to double until it reaches twice his weight at birth, and at the age of 6 months to one year The weight of the child is between 8 and 12 kilograms.

Factors affecting a child's weight:

Some of the habits that the mother follows during her pregnancy affect the child for a long time:

The health and physical condition of the mother during pregnancy.
Anxiety, tension, nervousness, and the psychological state of the mother during pregnancy have a great impact on the health and development of the infant.
If the woman smokes or drinks alcohol and takes drugs, this not only affects the weight of her newborn, but the child may be born with disabilities or various health ailments.
The mother neglects her proper nutrition and does not eat foods that increase the weight of the child, such as neglecting to drink milk, as well as eating foods that contain vitamins, iron and protein necessary for the growth of the fetus.
Not following up with the doctor regularly.

After the infant exceeds the first two months after birth, the mother may notice that her infant’s weight does not increase or stabilize at times despite breastfeeding him as usual, and here the mother must take the initiative to visit the pediatric specialist and make sure that there is no health problem for the child and advise the mother regarding the benefits of feeding the child and increasing his weight.

Tips for increasing infant weight:

Breastfeed the baby every two hours, at a rate of between 10 and 12 feedings during the day, and the mother must realize that the infant's stomach is small and satiates quickly. Giving the baby formula milk while breastfeeding at least twice a day.
Giving the child snacks after he exceeds 5 months, and the mother can start with cerelac meals that contain rice, boiled and well-mashed potatoes, and boiled and mashed vegetables.
At the age of one year for the child, the mother should not neglect giving the child milk, by accustoming the child to drinking milk in a drinking cup intended for children or through breastfeeding and at least one feeding per day, and the mother at this age stage can feed him different types of foods that contain meat, full-fat dairy products and eggs and others.
The mother should resort to the doctor in case the child's appetite for food is low, so that the doctor prescribes for him an appetizer and the necessary vitamins for him.

Feeding the baby:

Recent studies call for food to be introduced to an infant at four or five months of age. How do you determine the right time to introduce solid food to your baby? And what effect did that have on his appetite later?

Some grandmothers say that delaying food may make your child lose his appetite for many foods and may tend to refrain from eating, while doctors and nutritionists say that serving food early may expose him to many problems such as indigestion and allergies, so what is the correct opinion?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants should only be breastfed until they are six months old, and breast milk or formula will provide the calories and nutrients your infant needs for this period.

Some infants may show their desire to eat from the age of four to six months, so you should notice the signs that your baby is ready to eat and make the right decision for him accordingly. However, continue to breastfeed or bottle-feed for at least a year.

What will happen to your baby if you give him food before four months or after six months?

If you introduce solid food to your baby before four months: you will put him at risk of choking, and he will need less milk.
If you introduce solid food to your baby after seven months: you will be more likely to have an allergy to many types of food.

What is the secret in providing food in the sixth month of infants?

Breast milk provides all the nutrients an infant needs, such as iron, until the age of six months.

Also, at the age of six months, the infant shows signs that he is physically ready to eat solid foods, and these signs include the following:

Shows interest in food when you eat it.
Can sit without assistance.
He raises his head up.
He puts food in his mouth.
Swallows food and does not push it out.

If the baby refuses to eat, won't let him touch his lips, and doesn't interact with you when you give him food, he probably isn't ready to eat solid food yet. Try another brand, and if he still refuses, offer him food after a few days.

The importance of bananas:

Bananas are one of the most beloved foods for children and one of the first foods that infants begin to eat because of its easy chewing and digestion, in addition to its many health benefits, which the infant needs during the first months after starting to eat solid food.

Nutritional benefits of banana:

Easy to take with you when you go out or travel.
It contains potassium, which is useful in cases of diarrhea in infants.
It strengthens bones and teeth because it is rich in calcium.
Helps to strengthen the immune system because it contains beneficial bacteria.
Hemoglobin is in blood cells and treats anemia.
It can be prepared in many ways, such as mashing it and adding it with oatmeal and cinnamon, making pancakes with bananas, or giving it to the infant during the first months pureed and mixed with milk.
Facilitates digestion for infants. Increases infant activity, because it contains fiber.

Recent studies have found it to be an essential source of folic acid and minerals. It is an alternative to milk, because it is rich in calcium, so if the infant refuses milk, it can be replaced with calcium through bananas.

Nutritional habits and child health:

Taking care of the child’s nutrition from the first day is a trust in the neck of the mother and the father. The eating habits that you follow with your child with the introduction of solid food will remain with him until he grows up, so we called it “Amanah” because the child’s mental and psychological health has a close relationship with his physical and physical health.

When the child is hungry, he will ask for food:

The first myth that has nothing to do with health, children in general do not tend to ask for food, except when they reach the stage of extreme hunger, and if you give your child the choice between eating and continuing to play or watch a favorite cartoon program, he will choose anything other than eating.

Offer your child meals on a regular basis at specific times, as he will not ask for food and reaching the stage of extreme hunger will be dangerous to his health.

The child should not play with the food or make a mess on the table:

A big mistake and a common myth, as whenever your child enjoys while eating his food, he eats his entire meal, so do not scold your child when some food falls on the floor or on the table, and do not be sharp-tempered at the time of eating, but rather make it an enjoyable time in which he uses all his senses, and if He wanted to eat some food with his hands, so leave him, as there will be no world war if he does not eat all the food with a spoon.

Etiquette and respect for food also has nothing to do with all of these things. What is important is that he sits in his seat and concentrates on the food when eating it and is not preoccupied with any other activity and eats his dish the way he prefers.

Eating while doing other activities:

It is common among mothers to feed the child while playing or watching TV, thinking that he will eat more food if they do so, but this is also a myth, which has nothing to do with the health of the child, when your child eats while doing any other activity, he will not give importance to meals nor Respect for mealtimes, and in the future they will be more likely to forget mealtimes. I see some children only eat one meal per day, which negatively affects their mental and physical development compared to their peers.

Children do not naturally like healthy foods:

There is a common belief that children are born with a tendency to sweets and fast foods, and they hate vegetables, fruits and all healthy foods, and this is a wrong belief, as the child gets used to what he eats, and by the nature of human formation, he tends to reject bitter foods and tends to sweet foods, and here comes the role of the mother and father in the types of The food offered to the child from the beginning of the introduction of solid food.

You must be a good cook in order for your child to get good food:

Of course not, there is no relationship between your ability to cook and feed your child well, because children are more inclined to the shape of food, so try to put vegetables in the dish, and make a piece of boiled meat in a traditional way and cut it in the shape of a heart, and he will eat it and fill his heart with happiness, also prepare soup Light with white rice as a simple meal, or a green salad cut into slices forming a beautiful shape in the dish, all of which will make you need any meal from the outside.

Vegetables for infant feeding:

Vegetables are the first options that come to every mother’s mind when starting to introduce food to her infant after six months of age, and there are many types of vegetables that you can offer your child, but the important thing is to focus on seasonal vegetables, so be sure to give your child all kinds of vegetables in their season and stay away from frozen, to get On all the benefits of vegetables for babies.

Benefits of vegetables for babies:

Doctors recommend offering vegetables in the first weeks to introduce food, each type separately, to ensure that the child is not allergic to some types, after which you can mix a group of vegetables with each other or with oats, rice, and others.
The most important vegetables that your child should have in his first year, which doctors consider the best first foods for a child.

Pumpkin benefits for infants:

It has antimicrobial properties, so it is important for preventing fungal infections, and diseases caused by bacteria and viruses.
It contains omega 3, which helps reduce inflammation in your child.
It contains a high percentage of fiber, and thus it is one of the foods that enhance the functioning of your child's digestive system and reduce constipation.
It contains vitamin A and beta-carotene, which help strengthen eyesight and protect the eyes from ultraviolet radiation.
Contains important antioxidants for your child's immunity and body.

Benefits of spinach for infants:

It contains a high percentage of water that keeps your child's body hydrated.
Protects the liver from harmful bacteria. Spinach helps your child's body to fight parasitic worms that attack his weak body.
Helps solve various stomach problems.
Calcium and the vitamins in it are a great source of bone strength. It contains proteins that help in the muscular development of your child.
It contains vitamin K and other elements that maintain your child's body and help him fight various diseases.
It is a natural laxative because it contains a high percentage of fiber, which protects it from constipation and indigestion.

Benefits of carrots for infants:

Helps in cell regeneration and growth quickly and ideally in case of wounds and injuries.
It enhances the performance of the liver and contains elements that protect it from being affected by harmful chemicals.
It strengthens immunity and keeps your child's body in good shape most of the time.
It contains the most important elements that help in strengthening eyesight, namely vitamin A and beta-carotene.
Maintains the health of the heart and blood vessels, and makes them work better.
You can make many recipes from carrots that are suitable for babies, due to its wonderful and sweet taste.

Benefits of potatoes for infants:

Sweet potatoes are a great source of fibre, so they protect the infant from constipation.
It contains vitamin A, which is important for strengthening your child's eyesight, and more than 100% of your child's daily need is found in potatoes.
It contains the most important vitamins that help in strengthening your child's immunity, and protecting him from the roles of cold and flu.
It helps in increasing the weight of the infant, as it contains high calories.
It protects your child from anemia, as it contains calcium and iron in high proportions.

The importance of burping the baby:

Burping a baby is one of the techniques parents should know to help a newborn pass gas. If you have just become a parent for the first time, the information we provide you here will be useful to you.

Should the child burp after eating?

Feeding the baby is one of the major concerns of new parents. This results in many discomforts that adults don't know how to manage, such as belching and gas. Gas buildup occurs regularly during the first six months of life. When a child burps after eating, he repels it.

Symptoms may still persist, however, so fears arise when we do not know how to deal with them. What causes gases in children? Could a condition or disease be the cause? Does burping a baby really help?

What causes gases in children?

The first thing you should know is that gas in babies is inevitable. It is a condition that arises due to their feeding behavior during the first weeks of their lives and the condition of their internal organs. Gases usually result from the following conditions:

Their digestive system has not yet developed:

Children's digestive systems do not fully develop until they reach full maturity. Although times may vary, it does gain a certain maturity after six months of age, which does not reach its fullness until the age of 5 years. So it is normal for gases to appear.

The child swallows air when crying or sucking when feeding (especially when taking a bottle) or when eating and swallowing quickly:

Swallowing air is considered a normal condition in newborns, although, unfortunately, it causes consequences such as flatulence. The amount of air that reaches the stomach, intentionally or unintentionally, decreases as it grows.

Certain stomach problems such as constipation, gastroesophageal reflux or colic:

Digestive disorders are very common during the first year of life. So parents should learn to manage it according to the pediatrician's recommendations.

Hypersensitivity or sensitivity in particular to the ingredients of the formula added to the bottle:

Allergies are less common than anaphylaxis, as the latter is related to the level of development of the digestive system.

These are the four main causes of gas in babies. And other problems, such as not being able to breastfeed the child and unregulated eating during his first meals.

It should be noted that the food eaten by the mother is not the cause of this or other similar problems. However, some mothers who think otherwise set food restrictions without any justification, avoiding spicy foods, acidic foods, and cold foods. However, science considers these restrictions unnecessary, unless suggested by a pediatrician.

Signs that indicate the accumulation of gases in the child:

There are many symptoms that alert you that your baby may have gas. And the male finds that this is a natural and inevitable condition. Therefore, it is recommended not to despair if this condition often appears. Among the main symptoms are:

Crying and behaviors that express discomfort:

Crying is the only means of communication in which babies express their feelings and emotions. And the baby may suffer from gas accumulation if he cries immediately after feeding.

Excessive flatulence:

Flatulence is a common condition in children. However, it is a symptom of gas in the digestive tract if it is too much after breastfeeding. His body tries to expel them through flatulence in order to relieve pressure.

Sleep or eating disorders:

It is true that sleep and eating disorders are a sign of many conditions. However, it is very likely to indicate gas buildup if it appears in the right context along with the other symptoms mentioned.

The child writhes, transmits a feeling of pain, and also tries to bring his legs back to his chest. It also shows behavior such as quick anger and not feeling happy. The gases produce a feeling of discomfort that results in all these symptoms.

She may also notice a slight swelling in her tummy and the baby coughing a lot. The buildup of these signs does not always indicate a buildup of gas. In fact, most of them occur naturally even when there is no underlying problem. Having your pediatrician interpret them is the best way to rule out other conditions.

How do you make a child burp?

There is no scientific evidence that burping a baby significantly reduces abdominal pain. At least that's what a 2014 study with two control groups showed. Although there is little medical literature for this, there is no evidence to suggest that the methods used are counterproductive to the health of the infant.

Whether a baby burps or not, we know that gas is a normal problem during the first months of life. However, empirical evidence from many mothers shows that passing gas helps the baby calm down and sleep better.

It is therefore a recommended practice, especially if the symptoms described are very pronounced. With all of the above in mind, here are some techniques for getting your baby to burp. You can use it during and after every meal.

Putting a piece of cloth on the shoulder:

This is the classic position for burping a baby after a feeding. You stand and put his chin on your shoulder. Belching may be accompanied by a little milk. Therefore, it is recommended to use a piece of cloth or a towel to avoid staining your clothes. Once you are in this position, do the following:

Gently pat his back. Do this from the bottom up, to accompany the burping path from the inside out.
To achieve this, you tap his buttocks three or four times and then move up an inch or two until you reach his chest height.
To calm him down, you can try walking and making baby rocking movements.
There is no standard time for a baby to burp. Do this until you notice that he is not trying anymore. Also try in the middle of a meal if you see any signs of gas buildup. Ensure that his body is in an upright position to promote expulsion of belching.

vertical position:

This technique is more comfortable if you are looking for a resting position. You can do this in a rocking chair. This will help calm the baby if he or she feels uncomfortable during the procedure. In this case, you will need to do the following:

Sit the child on your lap and place your palm on his chest. Tilt his body slightly so that some of the weight rests on the hand supporting him.
pats his chest gently. To do this, follow the previous tips on bottom-up movements.
Be careful not to lose control of the child's body or let your hand slip down his throat. Do this for two or three minutes until he stops burping.
If you can't find a comfortable position for you and your baby, try sitting on your lap or on a horizontal surface (such as a bed). Have a little patience if nothing happens at first. The burp takes a few minutes to move out.

Half lying on your knees:

If the above methods don't work, try laying her face down on your lap. It should not be in a horizontal position. Instead, try placing it at a 30-degree angle. The best way to do this is to follow these instructions:

Put the child on your lap and lean forward, finding the angle described.
Ensure that his head is above his chest at all times. This will avoid problems if he vomits up a little milk or food. If necessary, support his head with your hand.
Gently pat his back. Don't finish until you are sure the movements don't make him burp.
The downside to this technique is that you are not aware of the frequency of belching. In the first case, the infant's mouth is very close to your ear, so you know the technique is working. We recommend using the methods in the order presented, as they follow the sequence of effectiveness.

When do you consult a doctor?

If symptoms persist for more than six months, the best thing to do is see a specialist for a more accurate diagnosis. In fact, allergies or intolerances to certain foods can trigger seizures of this type, conditions that require specific treatment to eliminate them.

Of course, if you see your pediatrician regularly during the first months of life, you will be able to spot a potential problem early enough. Hence the importance of going to the appointments stipulated by the latter and considering them essential for the health of the child.

A worsening of symptoms, such as blood in the stool or a fever, are red flags that you should not ignore. Consult your pediatrician immediately if these symptoms appear.

Healthy nutrition for children:

Healthy nutrition for children is the obsession of every mother, as mothers try to provide food that gives their children energy and immunity, and the mother always searches for the best to ensure the safety of her child and help him grow and that the average height and weight are consistent

And the child must be accustomed from the beginning to healthy foods and avoid foods that only provide him with pleasure. Therefore, it is necessary that his nutrition be regular and balanced and that the major food groups are available, which are:

1- Proteins:

Its role is to help develop muscles and strengthen immunity and the body.

2- Sugars:

Sugars are slow and fast absorbing. It provides energy for the body and is found in (bread and bread...) so that the child is in vitality and activity and to focus in the department.

It is recommended to consume fast-absorbing sugars from natural sources, such as honey, cereals, vegetables, milk and its derivatives.

3- Fatty:

It is better to consume good fats, by avoiding fried foods and hydrogenated oils found in street foods.

It is recommended to consume natural and good oils, which are found in olive oil, flaxseed, sesame and fish.

The importance of breakfast:

Morning breakfast is very important for a child. And he should be at home to eat it slowly. It must also contain:

One of the sources of calcium (milk and its derivatives).
One of the ingredients of slow-absorbing sugars, such as bread, rice with milk, and shield...
It is very important to have the elements of these two groups. Slow-absorbing sugars provide the child's body with energy for hours of the day.
Proteins found, for example, in eggs can be added to build muscle on the one hand. On the other hand, to avoid starvation. it provides proteins and oils for the body.
It is possible to add one of the types of grains that provide fiber to the body, or a type of natural juice.
It is possible to respond to the child's inclinations by providing a type of food with the taste he prefers, such as sweet or salty.
Quick touch should be avoided. And avoid counting on it instead of breakfast.

Healthy foods:

Healthy foods: These are natural foods, not canned foods, due to their many harmful effects.
Unhealthy foods: They are those whose ingredients contain artificial sweeteners and colourings, as they contain huge amounts of sugar. Therefore, it is preferable to consume home-cooked foods. Which is available on natural elements.
Oils in canned foods should be avoided. which is not usually of good quality. Therefore, it is necessary to see the constituent elements of canned products. Which is usually written on the outside of the box.
Avoid consumption of (palm oils and hydrogenated oils).
Limit white sugar consumption and replace it with honey. And sugar can be replaced in home food recipes with dates and bananas as natural ingredients.
Avoid bad eating habits to avoid diseases such as obesity.

The child can be accustomed from a young age not to eat harmful sugars found in gum and candy. Because when you reach adolescence, it becomes very difficult.

Recent studies have shown that excessive movement in some children is the result of irregular feeding. And also to eat unhealthy foods such as those that contain colours.

And children can eat foods that contain colorings, such as candy, due to their strong desire for them, but not permanently.

Avoid repeating meals:

Frequent meals should be avoided. Because the child hates the taste of the food he eats many times.

It is better to decorate the child's plate with different shapes and sizes of food. And his participation in the process of preparing a dish to eat.

Good growth of the child:

It is normal for a small child to eat in small quantities, given that his stomach is small in size.
If the weight and height are in a normal format, there is no problem.
If the child does not suffer from a deficiency in iron and vitamins, then his growth is normal.
This type of child must be accustomed to adhere to basic meals, which must be varied and healthy.

Foods that provide immunity to the child:

You must eat healthy foods that are available in the basic groups, and that contain minerals such as iron, vitamin C and calcium, to avoid the effect of viruses and bacteria on the child's health.
Food should be balanced.
Foods that contain iron, which are legumes, such as (lentils, chickpeas, beans...) and green vegetables, such as parsley, peppers, spinach, and animal proteins found in liver and red meat.
Magnesium
Vitamins (Vitamin C, found in oranges, kiwis, and strawberries) are antioxidant vitamins.
Drinking water because it cleanses the body of toxins.
Eat fresh vegetables and fruits.

Nutritional supplements:

A child should not be given nutritional supplements unnecessarily. This can be done by consulting a doctor when there is a weakness in the needs of his body.

It is preferable that the nutritional supplements be natural.

Worms in the intestine:

Worms in the intestines impede the child's natural growth, so it is necessary to use the necessary medicines as well as natural oils such as garlic oil.

It is also advised to stay away from sugar.

Children's feeling of hunger:

Babies cannot speak to communicate when they are hungry or full. However, they do have the ability to pass the message on to the parents. It's all about learning to interpret signs. For parents of young children, everything is new and unfamiliar. Even when it comes to food. But there are certain signs of hunger in a baby that can guide these times of doubt and anxiety.

Some of these are signs to know if your little one is hungry or if he has all the nutrients required for his proper development.

What are the signs of hunger in a child?

Meals should be provided at the request of the newborn, and the main evidence is that the child feels hungry. It is therefore essential to learn to interpret these signs of hunger, but also to interpret satiety. It may seem complicated at first, but as the days go by, all the parents and teachers find their way.

The child seeks the breast:

If the baby is in your arms and brings his head closer to the chest or breast, then he is hungry and wants to find the breast. It can also move its head from side to side as if it is searching for food.

It is more active when hungry.

Children are often more alert and more aware of what is going on around them. He is constantly moving. This indicates that he is hungry because this sensation makes him more exciting.

Baby trying to breastfeed:

A hungry child makes sucking movements with his mouth. Even if he doesn't have a pacifier, toy or rattle. It is also common for him to extend his hands to his mouth and suck them insistently.

Stick out his tongue:

Mouth clicking and tongue movements can also be a sign of needing or wanting to eat. Sometimes the noise is very soft, almost imperceptible.

The child cries and fidgets:

A crying baby is often a signal that something is wrong. Sometimes they are due to feeling hungry. However, crying indicates that the child has been hungry for a long time.

If this is the case, it is best to calm him down before you breastfeed or bottle-feed him, otherwise he will be too nervous to enjoy a meal. In addition, he may swallow more air than usual and then have gas problems and discomfort.

How do you know if a child is still hungry after a meal?

Determining when a child wants to eat is one of the main concerns of parents. However, the doubts do not end there. In fact, another concern may arise. Whether the child has eaten enough or is still hungry. In this case, this is also learned through the interpretation of certain signs.

Decreased muscle strength:

This is the most common sign during the first six months of life, with decreased activity. Relaxation indicates satiety.

Loss of interest in the breast or pacifier:

The baby turns his mouth away from the breast or bottle when he is not hungry. If you show him again and he turns his head again, he's really full.

Focus on other things:

Once full, the child often wants to do other things. He can look away persistently or follow a game with his eyes. In short, food takes a back seat.

The child shows his satisfaction:

If he eats well, everything went well and he is no longer hungry, the child is generally happy. He can even laugh and play. However, if he is tired, he will show signs of falling asleep.

Can the child eat?

It is important to recognize signs of hunger such as fullness in a child. The child knows very well when to stop eating when he is no longer hungry, and it is very rare for him to eat a lot.

Therefore, it is highly recommended not to force children to eat, including while breastfeeding. Hunger in a child is very irregular and unpredictable, and amounts can vary greatly from day to day. or even from one to another. Also, a crying baby does not always mean that he is hungry. If he really needs to eat, he will move closer to the breast to suck the milk. But sometimes he just needs to be close to that place that gives him a sense of peace and security.

Signs that my baby is feeding well:

The best way to know that a child is eating enough is to watch him grow. If he is gaining weight and developing gradually and within normal parameters, he is not hungry and has all the necessary nutrients.
For this, it is necessary to respect follow-up visits as well as all examinations at the pediatrician.
On the other hand, it is necessary to pay attention to the stool and urine of the child. A child who has eaten enough food has several stools during the day, often watery and yellowish in color. His urine is pure and abundant.
He is sleepy and tired and shows little energy, including breastfeeding.
It takes a long time (more than 45 minutes) to breastfeed or drink from a bottle.
His stools are sparse or green in color. Urination is also insufficient.
Low or insufficient weight gain for his age.
Baby crying in front of his bottle.
A newborn baby needs to be breastfed more often. Usually every two or three hours, or more often in some cases.

During their development, children go through growth spurts. So naturally they are hungrier and want to eat more. But this does not mean that milk is not good for them. The same goes for formula-fed babies. The quantities indicated are guidelines for the correct preparation of the bottle, but it is essential to understand and respect the desire to eat.

Finally, babies have their own signals to indicate hunger and fullness. Over time, parents are able to interpret it. Checking growth with a pediatrician as well as the rhythm of bowel movements and urination are the most reliable signs to know that a child is eating what he needs.

Lifestyle factors that directly affect body weight:

Is it an indirect factor, related to other lifestyle factors that directly affect body weight? But the neighborhood where one begins life and then the places of residence during childhood have a significant impact on the trajectory of body mass index (BMI) and the risk of obesity in adolescence. While this is not the first study to link place of birth and residence to body weight, it is the first demonstration, here in the JAMA Network Open, of the high vulnerability of children to the adverse conditions of the neighborhood of residence, with lifelong health consequences.

These “place of birth” and “place of residence” factors should therefore be taken into consideration, along with exposure to pollution, by public health policies,

a fortiori because these are factors that are very difficult for families and individuals to modify.

The place of birth and residence, a factor of chronic diseases later in life?

The Harvard Pilgrim Health Institute (Boston) team describes place of birth and residence as "a factor in favorable or unfavorable BMI patterns and future risk of chronic disease". The main author, Izzuddin Aris, professor of population medicine at Harvard Medical School, recalls that these physical and social criteria of the neighborhoods where children reside are increasingly recognized as an important determinant of health throughout life. life. The study therefore looked at the extent to which these criteria are linked to childhood BMI and the risk of obesity later in life.

The place of life clearly associated with the BMI trajectory:

While previous studies have investigated this association, they were limited by small sample sizes, lack of geographic diversity, and insufficient variation in individual characteristics. That's not the case with this new study that fills those gaps, with a geographically diverse cohort of more than 20,000 children from different birth cohorts across the United States participating in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program. . Participants' geocoded residential addresses were collected at birth, infancy, and middle childhood, along with Child Opportunity Index (ChOI) and Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) scores. The researchers then examined the associations of these scores with BMI and obesity in participating children. This analysis reveals that:

regardless of the stage of life considered, children who reside in regions where the ChOI index is higher follow lower average BMI trajectories and run a lower risk of obesity from childhood to infancy. adolescence, regardless of family and prenatal socio-demographic characteristics;
similar patterns are seen for children with low SVI scores;
these associations are more marked for children residing in the most privileged or less vulnerable neighborhoods. Living in these privileged neighborhoods at birth has a greater impact on reducing the risk of obesity compared to living in these neighborhoods later in childhood, suggesting that pregnancy is also an important window of exposure.

The team calls for policies to focus on investments that address structures that systematically compromise the health of marginalized communities and initiatives that change the environmental factors influencing overweight and obesity in children.