Experts Call on Families to Monitor Preschool Height and Weight
As the new educational term approaches, experts emphasized that regular monitoring of children's height, weight, and puberty is essential for healthy development.
Experts at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital issued critical warnings to families prior to the new academic year, urging them to have their children undergo height, weight, and puberty checks to monitor their physical development.
The Importance of Growth Monitoring
The school-age period stands out as one of the most critical processes during which children's physical development must be closely monitored. Experts state that growth should be evaluated not only through current values, but also through changes over time.
Growth Velocity and Periodic Checks
In the pre-pubertal period, children are expected to have an annual growth velocity of at least 5 to 6 centimeters. To enable families to track their children's development, it is recommended to have height and weight measurements taken at intervals of at least 3 to 6 months.
Causes of Growth Retardation
Situations such as clothes remaining the same size or shoe sizes failing to change can indicate a slowdown in growth. Various medical reasons such as nutritional deficiency, thyroid disorders, celiac disease, or growth hormone deficiency may lie behind this condition.
Lunchboxes and Balanced Meals
Balanced meals hold a significant place in the nutrition of school-age children. When preparing lunchboxes, a healthy balance can be established by choosing a palm-sized portion of protein, whole-grain bread, raw nuts, and fruit.
Ways to Prevent Obesity
Ready-made juices containing free sugars, sodas, packaged foods, and biscuits negatively affect children's health. Excessive calorie intake increases the risk of obesity in children in later processes.