Debunking Common Filipino Myths on Children’s Growth and Nutrition

The World Health Organization (WHO) has set global targets to reduce the number of children under five who are stunted by 40% by 2025 and to maintain childhood wasting at less than 5%. Yet, global malnutrition rates remain too high. In the Philippines, one in every four Filipino children below the age of five is malnourished and stunted. Despite concerted efforts, the stunting rate has plateaued over the last decade, indicating a persistent challenge in ensuring adequate nutrition for our nation’s youth.

To ensure your children’s health, it is essential to promote good nutrition. Yet there are some myths around children’s health and nutrition. Dr. Jose Dimaano, Jr., nutrition medical director for Asia Pacific in Abbott dispels some common misconceptions and the truths that parents should be aware of:

Myth #1: A child’s height is predetermined solely by genetics.

Truth: While genetics do play a role in determining a child’s height, it is not the sole factor. Nutrition and environmental conditions significantly influence a child’s growth, especially during the first five years of life when 60% of adult height is achieved. ,,, Proper nutrition, including a balanced diet with essential vitamins and minerals, is key to a child’s growth. A supportive environment with good healthcare, physical activity, and emotional support can also enhance growth, enabling children to reach their full potential. Relying on the belief that children will naturally catch up later can be detrimental, as early deficits are hard to overcome. While puberty offers a second major growth spurt, it cannot fully compensate for missed opportunities during these formative years. Ensuring children receive adequate support early on is essential for achieving their full growth potential.

Myth #2: Regular exercise might harm children’s early growth due to undue stress or fatigue.

Truth: Regular exercise is essential for healthy growth and development, and does not harm early growth when balanced with proper nutrition and adequate sleep. Exercise promotes strong bones, muscles, and overall physical fitness, while also contributing to mental well-being. Children should engage in age-appropriate physical activities that they enjoy. Coupled with a nutritious diet and sufficient sleep, regular exercise supports optimal growth.

Myth #3: Catch up growth can be achieved in three weeks’ time.

Truth: While rapid growth spurts can occur, they do not necessarily indicate that a child is healthy. A truly healthy child grows consistently at a steady pace, reflecting balanced nutrition and overall well-being. Claims that short-term accelerated growth can be achieved in a few weeks don’t necessarily indicate that you have a healthy child. For stunted children, catch-up growth may involve faster-than-normal growth rates to make up for earlier deficits. Catch-up growth is a process aimed at bringing a child back on track for their age and development stage. If growth issues persist, parents can consider an oral nutritional supplement which is designed to support growth and development. In a study, children who consumed two servings a day of the oral nutritional supplement, PediaSure Plus saw faster growth in 8 weeks and sustained proportional growth over 48 weeks compared with the group of children who had only three balanced meals and regular exercise.

Myth #4: Comparing my child’s height with his peers is the best way to know whether he is growing right or not.

Truth: Visual observation alone cannot accurately determine a child’s growth or health status. It’s natural to assume bigger is better, but that’s not necessarily the case. In fact, healthy growth is measured by what’s normal for your child for his age. Pediatricians have several different tools to measure a child’s health. One of the most powerful among them is the growth chart. The growth chart uses a set of measurements based on WHO height and weight standards of children, by age and gender. Home tools – like the height charts and online growth calculators offered through Abbott’s Growth Watch program – can be useful for tracking the child’s growth consistently. With regular wellness checks, your pediatrician will also be able to monitor your child’s growth and recommend interventions if the child is falling behind.

Myth #5: A Child’s Growth Is Normal If He/She Has A Good Appetite.

Truth: While a good appetite can be a positive sign, it doesn’t necessarily mean a child is getting the right kind and amount of nutrients needed for optimal growth. The quality of diet is more important than the quantity. Children need a diverse diet that includes at least five out of the seven food groups daily to ensure they receive a balanced mix of essential nutrients. These groups include meats and fish, legumes and nuts, grains, roots and tubers, vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables, eggs, and dairy products. Additionally, it’s a common belief that rice and viand alone are sufficient for a child’s nutritional needs. However, relying solely on these staple foods can leave significant nutritional gaps, as these common foods might not provide all the essential nutrients required for growth and development. The Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) offers dietary guidelines that promote a balanced diet tailored to a child’s nutritional needs such as the Pinggang Pinoy. These guidelines emphasize including foods rich in carbohydrates for energy, proteins for growth and repair, and fruits and vegetables for essential vitamins and minerals.

Understanding the truth behind common nutrition myths can arm parents with information to support their children’s health. Staying informed about evidence-based practices and information can help caregivers make the best decisions for their children’s development.

Abbott’s Growth Watch campaign is dedicated to enhancing understanding and providing essential resources for promoting optimal child growth. For more details and access to tools like the Growth Calculator, please visit the link. (MCN)