Growth

[germes88]

Hi Doctor,
I would like to know  my son's 4+ yrs now. He weighs 14.5 kg .And height of 97cm . Many people saying that he's quite small size  at his age. Pls advise me what kind of food  whereby could boost his height growth as well as weight .He's a very very small eater too. Nothing seems to interest him more then 3 mouthful of scoop and he's full.

Pls advise . Appreciated.

[Renee Radenberg]

1 cup = 8ozs
Meat/ beans is 5ozs a day which would equal 1oz at breakfast (egg), 1oz at lunch (meat), 2oz at dinner (meat), and 1oz snack before bed (cheese).
Dairy products are 3 cups a day = 1 cup (8oz) at breakfast (milk or yogurt), 1 cup at lunch (milk), and 1 cup at dinner (milk). If he only drinks 1/2 cup then give the other 1/2 cup with a snack between meals.
Suggest Pediasure or make your own milkshakes (milk and ice cream blended) instead of Ensure which is for adults.

[germes88]

Thanks for yr advise, could  you guide on  actual  size portion. Like per serving and  1 oz suppose to be.As well as he's more on rice , how much I need to provide him each meal include or exclude the meat etc..
Actually I check some milk powder like Ensure / Optimun , will this milk be helpful as well?

Thanks again .

[Renee Radenberg]

His weight is between the 25-10th percentile and his height is on the 10th percentile for his age. He is in the growth chart which is considered normal. He is on the smaller side of normal, however, it maybe genetic. Is there a family history of small male stature? Based on his weight / age, he should be consuming approximately 1800 calories per day as recommended the following; Fruits (limit fruit juices) = 1.5 cups; Vegetables 2.5 cups; Grains (cereals, breads) = 6oz equivalents; Meat & beans = 5oz equivalents; Dairy products (milk, yogurt) = 3 cups; Oils = 5 tsp; Additional calories to be used discretionary = 195. This food needs to be divided up between 3 meals and snacks between meals daily. Sounds like he does not eat much per meal, as you wrote, so make sure he is eating a protein food each meal (meat, fish, cheese, or yogurt) and try milkshakes instead of milk to help give him additional calories and protein for weight gain. Hoped this helped you.