When to Seek a Dietitian's Advice About a Child's Problem

Nutrition ought to encourage the physical and psychological growth of young individuals, prevent obesity and excess weight, and decrease susceptibility to dietary conditions in adulthood. In numerous scenarios related to the feeding of children, a nutrition specialist can prove helpful.

Among the youngest population globally, including Poland, a significant challenge remains the epidemic of overweight and obesity. It is approximated that around 1/3 of Polish 8-year-olds encounter difficulties with excessive body mass, with boys being more frequently impacted (A. Dzielska et al. 2017). Children ingest insufficient quantities of vegetables and fruits, surplus sugary beverages, and occasionally omit breakfast, while their menus frequently involve sweets, salty snacks, or fast food. A professional dietitian can help in eradicating these unhealthy habits.

An absence of desire to eat in children can be the result of various health or psychological issues. It sometimes occurs in the course of anemia or gastrointestinal problems, and is also accompanied by difficulties with biting or swallowing. A deterioration of the appetites can even be caused by past unpleasant experiences, such as constipation. If a child between the ages of two and six starts refusing to eat and has previously eaten everything off their plate, they may have entered the stage of neophobia. During this period, the child doesn't want to try new foods, and their diet is very repetitive. This is a normal stage in the life of young children, but sometimes it can be difficult for parents to accept. A conversation with a nutritionist can help navigate this stage safely. The specialist can also help if the child refuses to eat hot and cold meals - usually working on the eating habits of the whole family.

Food allergies and intolerances are frequently identified in childhood. Sometimes they dissipate with age, but other times one must contend with them throughout life. Parents then worry whether their child's diet is properly balanced after eliminating products that cause undesirable reactions. If a child is diagnosed with an allergy to milk proteins, eggs, fish, or other ingredients, or an intolerance to lactose, gluten, or fructose, it is a good idea to consult a specialist who can explain how to replace products so that essential nutrients are not missing from the meal plan.

An additional serious reason why parents should seek the advice of a child nutritionist is various ailments in which nutrition is key - it is indispensable for treatment or improvement of quality of life. Young patients often contend with type 1 diabetes, diseases of the pancreas, kidneys and liver, cancer or cystic fibrosis. In such situations, a meal plan developed by a specialist or detailed nutrition recommendations regarding which products should be shunned and which should be incorporated into the diet is invaluable. The nutritionist can also assist in combating severe eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.

Here one can also find the motivation to consult an expert when expanding an infant's diet. The practice of vegan and vegetarian diets in a child's nutrition also serves as a reason to utilize our services. There is also a desire to improve unhealthy dietary patterns for the entire family. The child's participation in sports and the high intensity of their training sessions present another reason.

It's worth paying attention to dietetics education when selecting a nutrition specialist. Ideally, it should be a graduate of a higher education institution with a higher education degree in this field. It's also important to ensure the specialist consistently expands their knowledge through participation in courses and training and following the latest scientific research. More and more nutritionists are choosing their own specialization. Therefore, if a nutritionist specializing in working with children is available, it's worth selecting him. He'll know how to communicate with the youngest, thus appropriately achieving the desired outcome, so that the child doesn't feel preoccupied or confused.

The first consultation includes a medical-nutritional interview and an analysis of past habits. The specialist asks about the meals consumed, their times and frequency, chronic diseases, allergies and intolerances, medications and supplements taken. He also inquires about the current lifestyle and physical activity preferences. He performs anthropometric measurements (body mass and growth) and then marks them on a centyl net to determine whether the body mass is normal. Some families are also analyzed on the basis of current research practice, where there is usually no need to make a prior decision about food before the first visit. However, the nutritionist may request the performance of tests before the next meeting. He may also suggest keeping a food diary before the visit, in which all consumed foods are recorded, usually from the last 3-5 days. Such records are a valuable source of information for the specialist – they allow to notice the biggest problems and establish appropriate recommendations. If the purpose of the consultation is to create a diet plan, the nutritionist asks about dietary preferences: which products the patient particularly likes, which he is allergic to, and which he does not like. He then answers pressing questions and proposes the further course of cooperation – creation of a diet plan, recommendations, or conducting nutritional education. It is worth remembering that cooperation with a nutritionist is usually long-term and involves several visits, and in the case of the youngest, it involves the whole family. The child's nutrition is the foundation of its health – both present and future. Therefore, it is important to discuss worrying issues with a specialist, as early detection of a problem allows for a quicker solution.