5 factors affecting children’s growth

Hereditary

Parents’ height, body structure, eye color, hair texture, intelligence… can be passed on to their children. Some conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity can also be transmitted through genes, thereby negatively affecting the baby’s growth.

Sex

Gender affects a child’s physical development. Boys and girls grow in different ways, which is evident when approaching puberty. Girls tend to change in shape more quickly during adolescence, while boys have a longer period of growth. The body structure of the two sexes is also different. Boys are usually healthy and suitable for activities that require physical flexibility and endurance. The two sexes have different personalities, so they also have different interests.

Do exercise

Exercise promotes the body to increase muscle strength and bone mass. Proper exercise helps children reach optimal height and fight diseases by strengthening the immune system. Children who regularly exercise and play outdoors also improve their resistance and prevent allergies.

Children and adolescents (6-17 years old) should do at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity, every day, 3-5 days per week. Children can run and jump with friends, ride bicycles, play football… Aerobic exercises and exercises with resistance bands also stimulate growth hormones the most, thereby helping children develop physically. pros.

Hormones

Hormones affect many different functions of the body. Hormone imbalance can lead to growth and behavioral defects and increase the risk of other diseases. The gonads produce sex hormones that control the development of genitalia in boys and girls.

Nutrition

The body needs nutrition to build muscles, bones, and control nerve functions. Malnutrition negatively affects children’s growth. On the other hand, eating too much can lead to obesity and long-term health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. A balanced diet needs enough vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats.

Children should limit sweets and candies because they easily increase blood sugar levels. When the body increases blood sugar, the amount of insulin hormone in the blood also increases. Insulin may inhibit growth hormone (GH) release in healthy children. In addition to nutrition, children should get enough sleep. Most growth hormones are released by the body while sleeping.