In the august presence of Dr Irfan Shaikh, Head Pediatric Nutrition- Scientific & Medical Affairs, Dr Suman Poddar and Dr Eileen Canday, Abbott’s Grow Right Initiative to help parents achieve holistic growth in toddlers was discussed.

According to The Grow Right Charter, right growth can be defined as a combination of physical, cognitive and mental progress that should be observed carefully during the foundation years of childhood. The guidelines include Right Nutrition, Right Play, Right Nurture and Right Impact.

Toddlers have problems with eating habits and one must take steps to ensure that the child gets proper nutrition throughout the day. The child may not eat everything in one meal. So the parents must see to it so that the child eats nutritious food in the three meals that he consumes throughout the day.

Mall foods must not be consumed on a regular basis by toddlers, said Dr Canday. The food lacks essential micronutrients which are essential for the well being of the child. The child may be full quickly but the nutritious elements will not enter the body of the toddler.

The average child grows at a rate of 6 to 8 cm per year and 2 kg per year. However different kids grow differently. Parents often force feed the kids and think they will grow like the other kids. That must not be done, highlighted Dr Poddar. He shed light on the fact that the kid must eat only that much which his stomach permits. Food also must not be used as a reward as that gives a wrong message to the kids.

Physical activity also should be a necessity in the lives of the kids. Otherwise they will lead a sedentary lifestyle and succumb to diseases.

A session with the mothers of the toddlers was also organized to throw light on what challenges they face and how they can overcome them.

Priyanka Dutta