Improvement intake of the body that can help the growth of children

Parents who want their children to grow tall should pay attention to the intake of nutrition enhancing the body to support its growth. In order to grow optimally, children need complete nutrition consisting of protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Nutrition plays an important role in growth. Failure to meet nutrition can lead to stunting, which is a condition of malnutrition that lasts long enough so that the sufferer's growth is stunted. Children who are stunted will appear shorter than their peers. Apart from lack of nutritional intake, stunting in children can occur due to genetic factors, hormonal disorders, or certain medical conditions, such as anemia, infection, and severe stress.

Recommended Improvement of Body Improvement

In order for the child to grow to an optimal level and normal height, make sure the child's plate contains food containing some of the following types of nutrients:

1. Protein

Protein is needed to form cells and body tissues, produce hormones, strengthen bones and muscles, and help break down food into energy. Protein requirements per day for children according to age level are as follows:

• Age 1-3 years = 26 grams
• Ages 4-6 years = 35 grams
• Ages 7-9 years = 49 grams
• Ages 9-13 years = 40 grams
• Teenage boys ages 14-18 years = 65 grams
• Teenage girls ages 14-18 years = 60 grams

Protein is abundant in eggs, chicken, beef, milk, fish and a variety of seafood, nuts, and seeds.

2. Iron

Iron is an important nutrient to support children's growth and development. Iron is needed by red blood cells to carry oxygen to important organs in the body of the Little One, including the brain. The need for iron per day in children according to age level is as follows:

• Ages 7-12 months = 7 milligrams
• Age 1-3 years = 8 milligrams
• Ages 4-8 years = 9 milligrams
• Ages 9-13 years = 10 milligrams
• Teenage boys ages 14-18 years = 17 milligrams
• Teenage girls ages 14-18 years = 25 milligrams

Iron is found in animal and vegetable food sources, namely red meat, seafood, green leafy vegetables, and legumes.

3. Calcium

So that your little body is high, make sure you give it enough calcium. Calcium is used by the body for the growth of bones and teeth, and strengthens muscles and bones. In addition, calcium is also needed to support the work of the heart, muscles, and blood circulation. Calcium needs per day in children varies according to age, namely:

• Age 1-3 years = 650 milligrams
• Ages 4-8 years = 1000 milligrams
• Ages 9-18 years = 1200 milligrams

The best sources of calcium are milk and its processed products, such as yogurt and cheese. Milk also contains protein and fat that children need in their infancy. Besides milk, other sources of calcium are spinach, broccoli, and tofu. A study shows that children who get enough calcium intake tend to have ideal weight and height. In preschool children, give two glasses of milk per day as intake of heightening. Consumption of more than two glasses of milk per day is not recommended, because it is feared to cause obesity in children. The following is the recommended amount of cow's milk per day for children according to their age:

• Age 2-3 years: two cups (about 500 ml)
• Ages 4-8 years: two and a half cups (around 600 ml)
• Ages 9-18 years: three cups (around 700 ml)

But keep in mind, give milk in accordance with the conditions and age of the child, in order to support its growth.

4. Vitamins

Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E are needed in the process of growth and development of children. But if you want it to grow tall, make sure your little vitamin D needs are fulfilled, because this vitamin will help absorb calcium needed for bone growth. Newborns up to age 1 need 200 D of vitamin D per day. Whereas children over 1 year old need 600 IU of vitamin D per day. Vitamin D is abundant in milk and its processed products, eggs, fish, spinach, soybeans, and cereals. In addition, vitamin D can also be formed naturally by the body, when exposed to morning sun. In addition to various intakes mentioned above, children also need carbohydrates, fats, and fiber in their daily diet. You need to remember, a child's growth is not only determined by the adequacy of nutrition. It also requires adequate rest and regular exercise, so that the child's growth is optimal.