In what has come as a shock, India has fare far worse than Sub-Saharan countries when it comes to the growth of children.
As per the latest Global Nutrition Report (GNR), 38.7 percent Indian children suffer from growth stunting. In fact, India reportedly ranks 114 in the list of 132 countries that were surveyed.
What the study found
The report noted that “at the current rates of decline, India will achieve the current stunting rates of Ghana or Togo by 2030 and that of China by 2055.”
It made some more startling revelations:
- The Indian percentage is much higher than the global prevalence of stunting at 23.8 percent
- Families with members who are suffering from cardio-vascular diseases spend almost 30 percent of their income on their treatment
- About 9.5 percent adults in India are suffering from diabetes as opposed to 9 percent of the global population.
- Indian is also off course when it comes to meeting challenges of fighting obesity
"A recent systematic review of the global impact of non-communicable diseases on household income found that cardiovascular disease patients in India spent 30% of their annual family income on direct cardio-vascular disease health care. The mean out-of-pocket cost per hospitalisation increased from US $364 in 1995 to US $575 in 2004," the report noted.
The good news is…
"India almost doubled the rate of stunting reduction in the past 10 years compared with the previous decade. That is highly significant given that India is home to more than one-third of the world's stunted children," GNR reportedly said.
So what should be your kid's ideal height based on his/her age and weight? We find out.
Continue reading to see what is the ideal weight and height of your kid and how you can stimulate growth.
Ideal weight and height of your child
This chart depicts the ideal height and weight of an Indian child. Although all kids are different and may not necessarily conform to this, the chart will give you an overall idea of what to expect.
Image courtesy: AdoptionIndia
Stimulate growth in children with Indian food
While it is unlikely that specific foods will push the stunted growth of your child more than he can, genetically. However, there are foods that can stimulate growth in children.
For instance, including total calories, carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamins and mineral in their daily meal can provide them adequate nutrition that can maximise their growth.
So here’s what you can do:
#1 Include ample protein
- The Institute of Medicine suggests that kids aged between 1 and 3 years should consume 13 grams of protein daily.
- While children aged between 4 and 8 years must get at least 19 grams; and kids aged between 9 and 13 years should consume a minimum of 34 grams of dietary protein daily.
- This includes fish, eggs, chicken, dairy products, nuts and dals.
#2 Count their calorie intake
- The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 suggests that kids aged between 2 and 3 need 1,000 to 1,400 calories daily.
- While children aged between 4 and 8 require 1,200 to 2,000 calories per day
- And, kids aged between 9 and 14 years need about 1,400 to 2,600 calories daily
#3 Add necessary vitamins and minerals to diet
- Adequate amount of vitamins and minerals in your child’s daily diet can spurt his growth and give him the energy boost needed to be active all day
- Make sure to add dal, subzi, fruits and vegetables in his daily diet.
- Addition of iron, vitamin A and zinc-rich spinach, sweet potato, tomato, green vegetables, and peas and nuts can also do the work for you
#4 Add milk to daily diet
- We love giving children milk and rightfully so, because it helps to maximise growth among children
- Studies have shown that dairy is associated with higher insulin-like growth factor in children. This component increases leg-bone length among children
- Most growing young children aged between 5 and 8 years need a minimum of one of two glasses of milk (to strengthen their bones)
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(Image courtesy: thestar)
