Question
A 3.5-year-old boy is 97CM tall and weighs 28 kilograms. It seems that he has stopped growing, his body is sturdy, and he gets sick rarely, but his weight has not increased. I am asking if this weight and height are within the normal range and whether adjustments to his diet are necessary?
Answer
The average weight for a 3-year-old boy is between 13.0 and 16.4 kilograms, with an average height of 91.1 to 98.7cm. At this stage, the baby’s milk teeth have grown in, and his chewing ability has improved, allowing for a wider variety of food types and cooking methods that are gradually similar to those of adults. Although the digestive system is not fully developed, due to the rapid growth rate, there is a higher demand for calories and nutrients. When planning the baby’s daily diet, attention should be paid to the diversity of food types, including a combination of coarse and fine grains, staple and side dishes, meat and vegetables, dry and thin foods, as well as sweet and savory foods. Five meals should be provided daily, including milk, eggs, soy products, fresh vegetables or fruit puree, meat puree, pork liver congee, and other nutrient-rich foods.