HELPING KIDS TO GAIN WEIGHT

Are you worried your little one is underweight? Here we look at the common signs, some of the root causes and most importantly - solutions!

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Weight can be a tricky issue for many children. For some, it might be the case that they really struggle to gain or maintain weight. As parents, it can be very challenging to see your little one being underweight. Concerns can often linger as it’s such a painful topic and it’s sometimes unclear whether or not the issue is resolved. Here we will take a look at some of the signs that your child is underweight, what some of the causes are and what actions your family can take to help.

SIGNS TO LOOK FOR

To navigate around the uncertainty, there are some tried and tested criteria to consider when trying to determine if your child is underweight. Comparing their weight to that of other children of the same age is one step. Furthermore, your little one’s height should be taken into account for a more specific assessment.

Up to two years of age, paediatricians assess children’s weight using a ratio of their weight to length. For little ones older than two, BMI (body mass index) is taken into account. In both of these cases, children are determined to be officially underweight if their result lands in the bottom 5% compared to others their age. Annual checkups with your family doctor will help you to track your child’s weight and compare it to their peers.