We all want the best for our children. That said, some children may be more prone to nutritional deficiencies than others—and this could cause a great delay in their growth and development.
If you want the best for your child, it’s important to keep an eye out for any abnormal symptoms and warning signs that they may be facing in their day-to-day life.
Addressing these symptoms early on can mean the difference between a speedy recovery and a long-lasting and potentially permanent bout of chronic illnesses.
Without further ado, here are six nutritional warning signs in children that you need to watch out for.
Brittle Nails
Do your child’s fingernails frequently or easily break away? If so, this could be a sign of nutritional deficiency.
One major vitamin deficiency that can lead to this condition is vitamin B7 or biotin deficiency. This deficiency causes increased rigidity in the nail bed.
Furthermore, deficiencies in omega-3 acid, folic acid, vitamin C, and calcium can also contribute to the worsening health of one’s fingernails.
The best and most simple way to reverse this is by incorporating the right vitamin-rich foods into your child’s diet. If your child is low on omega-3 acids, for instance, cook them a hearty meal like oven-baked salmon for dinner.
Additionally, to accelerate the pace of recovery, you can also provide vitamin supplements to address these deficiencies.
Besides nutritional deficiency, there are several other reasons why brittle nails occur in your child. For one, they could be suffering from Plummer-Vinson syndrome, nutritional store abnormalities, or endocrine disorders. In these cases, consulting a doctor is the best course of action.
Delayed Puberty
Is your adolescent growing at a slower pace than their peers? Do they seem to lag in the onset of puberty?
Delayed puberty might be more than just a simple variation in growth rates—it could be a sign of hidden nutritional deficiencies.
In particular, delayed puberty can indicate deficiencies in key nutrients such as zinc and protein. These two vitamins are responsible for multiplying cells and building proteins, which is critical for growth and development.
Additionally, being significantly underweight or suffering from an eating disorder—two key markers for nutritional deficiency—can also delay puberty. While there’s not much a child can do to let puberty come faster, ensuring that they’re taking in a balanced amount of nutrients is a good start.
If delayed puberty persists past 15 to 16 years, you should consult a healthcare provider to address and evaluate your status.
Temper Tantrums
A moody child is every parent’s most dreaded fear. And while it’s easy for others to scoff these episodes off as a mere behavioral issue, the reality could be, in fact, health-related beneath the surface.
Increased moodiness could indicate a lack of B vitamins in the brain. Vitamin B is responsible for the production of a hormone called serotonin—one of the brain’s mood regulators. A shortage of this vitamin could lead to temper tantrums and highly variable emotional responses.
Furthermore, frequent temper tantrums could also mean that your child is eating way too much added sugars than the recommended daily amount. This not only promotes obesity and high blood sugar levels, but it also can lead to bouts of irritability and mood swings.
Furthermore, temper tantrums can also be aggravated by an imbalance of protein in the brain. Protein plays a key role in brain health and hormone production among other things.
If your child cannot utilize protein effectively as in the case of phenylketonuria (PKU), this could lead to adverse consequences that may persist for a lifetime. Learn more here about this rare, genetic condition.
GI Issues
Does your child have frequent episodes of constipation, diarrhea, or bloating?
If so, you should look closely into your child’s current diet. Are they consuming too few dietary fibers? Is there an abundance of fatty, greasy, or sugary foods in their daily diet?
From there, attempt to balance their diet appropriately. Incorporate generous portions of fruits, vegetables, and lean meats into their daily diet. Ensure that they’re also properly hydrated. If these behavioral fixes don’t seem to work, however, you may have to consult with a pediatrician to diagnose any potential ailments your child is facing.
Chronic or severe digestive issues may be a sign of food intolerance, an allergy, or an actual GI disorder. For instance, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and celiac disease are two common GI issues that can cause the aforementioned GI symptoms to manifest. These conditions need to be clinically addressed since they don’t go away on their own. As such, do find time to schedule a visit and ask the right questions to your nutritionist.
Frequent Fevers or Flu
Does your child frequently catch flu-like symptoms thrice a year or more?
If so, it could mean that they have a weak immune system. This could indicate that they’re low in vital nutrients that help keep the immune system working in top order. Some of these vitamins and nutrients include selenium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and zinc. When there’s a shortage of any of these vitamins, this could lead to your child suffering from infections more frequently than other children their age.
The best way to address these problems is by taking a close look and fixing their health practices. Encourage your child to wash their hands regularly and avoid overexerting themselves in places with extreme temperatures.
Furthermore, ensure that they’re eating the right foods. If problems still persist, have a doctor look into them closely for signs of upper tract infection or other potential causes.
6) Fatigue
Kids in their natural state are buzzing with endless bounds of energy. If your kid is not as energetic as he or she used to be, it could mean that they’re nutritionally deficient.
Iron deficiency is one major reason why your kid isn’t as active as they once were. Iron is essential for the production of red blood cells and oxygen delivery to the organs and tissues—and impairment in either function can be a primary cause for decreased energy levels.
Vitamin D and calcium deficiencies can cause muscle and bone weakness, which are also major contributors to worsening energy levels.
In many cases, having your child eat a balanced diet can reverse these symptoms over time. However, if your child’s fatigue persists even with a balanced diet, it’s best to bring this up to a doctor.