Question
A five-year-old child is experiencing growth delay due to picky eating, refusing to consume meat and preferring noodles. The physical examination results over the past two years have shown low weight, insufficient height, and malnutrition. The parents are worried about this situation. How should they handle it?
Answer
Dear parents, when it comes to the issue of growth delay caused by picky eating in children, I first suggest appropriately supplementing with zinc to boost appetite. It’s important to focus on a balanced and diverse diet, with a combination of coarse and fine grains, as well as meat and vegetables, which can help regulate the child’s physical condition. It is recommended to include more milk, lean meat, shrimp, bone soup, fruits, and vegetables in their diet, as these are beneficial for absorption and promote healthy growth.