Zhao Hui, Deputy Chief Physician, Department of Pediatric Internal Medicine, Anting Hospital, Jiading District.
In the clinical work, a common problem among parents and friends was discovered: parents generally believe that their children's short stature is due to calcium deficiency. Children's height growth has always been one of the topics of general concern to parents, in fact, children's growth is not only related to genetic factors, but also affected by nutritional factors, life Xi factors and growth and development environmental factors. Among them, the relationship between calcium supplementation and height growth is a topic that has attracted much attention, however, there are some misunderstandings about whether calcium supplementation can directly promote children's growth and height.
Calcium supplementation and height growth misunderstanding 1Can calcium supplementation directly promote height gain? Many parents believe that calcium supplementation can directly lead to height gain, but the truth is not so simple. Calcium, a nutrient necessary for maintaining bone health in everyone, does not directly contribute to height gain. Bone is a very important growth point during the growth phase, and calcium only plays a role in supporting bone health in this process. However, calcium supplementation alone does not allow children to increase their height to varying degrees. 2.Can excessive calcium supplementation make children grow taller faster? Moderate calcium intake is important for children's bone development, but excessive intake does not lead to faster height gain. In fact, excessive calcium intake may lead to calcium metabolism disorders, affecting other aspects of the body's health, and even putting a burden on kidney function. So don't overdo calcium supplementation for children! 3.Can calcium replace other nutrients? Bone health requires a variety of nutrients, but it's not just calcium. Nutrients such as vitamin D, vitamin K, magnesium, and phosphorus also play a vital role in bone development. Relying solely on calcium supplementation cannot ensure bone health, and only through a comprehensive, balanced and scientific diet is the key to ensuring the healthy growth of children. Parents and friends can refer to some children's health recipes to adjust their children's diets at each meal, and it is also important to try not to let children eat fried foods, non-nutritious snacks, yellow eels and other foods that may contain hormones, because such foods may cause children to have precocious puberty.
Ways to promote the healthy growth of children1Maintaining a varied and balanced diet is essential to ensure healthy growth only if children have a variety and balanced eating Xi. Parents and friends can prepare a variety of food pairings for children, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, proteins** (such as meat, fish, legumes), dairy products, etc., to ensure that the menu can provide a variety of essential nutrients for children's development, so as to scientifically and effectively help the healthy development of children's bones. 2.Maintain a moderate amount of exercise, which will help with bone health and physical development. For example: jumping rope, climbing stairs, touching the wall, swimming, basketball and other aerobic exercises and strength training. This can effectively promote the increase of bone density, which is very beneficial to children's physical development. So let the children be diligent in exercising. 3.Maintaining a regular routine is essential for children's growth and development. Only enough sleep, and try to fall asleep before 10 o'clock every night, which will help promote the secretion of children's own growth hormone, which is conducive to the development of the body. So try not to let your child stay up late! ConclusionAlthough calcium supplementation is one of the key nutrients for maintaining bone health, it does not directly lead to height growth in children. Proper nutrition, moderate exercise and a regular daily routine are the keys to ensuring a healthy growth of children. Parents should pay attention to the all-round development of their children, provide rich and diverse nutrition**, and guide them to develop good life Xi habits, so as to promote their healthy growth and development, and finally wish all children in the development stage can grow up healthily!