Kids.Physical Development: Preschooler - Slower Weight Gain vs. Failure to Gain Weight

Slower Weight Gain

Getting sufficient nutrition during the first three years of life is vital for the mental and physical development of a child as this will influence the growth rate of your child.

Other situations that can influence weight gain include:

1. Just recovered from illness

Your child may lose a little weight when he was sick. He will regain the lost weight soon with proper diet.

2. A slowdown in the momentum of weight gain

If your child is not gaining weight as quickly as previously, it may just be related to a normal slowing of growth rate.

3. Long-term medical condition

Medical condition can influence your child’s growth rate and he may appear to be smaller than average. If the condition can be easily reversed, he may grow faster than usual for a time period.

Failure to gain weight or Failure to Thrive

If there is a big drop in your child’s weight, you may want to consult a doctor to examine the underlying cause.

“Failure to gain weight” or “failure to thrive” happens when your child’s weight is 20% below the ideal weight for his height (BMI). Usually, it may be due to improper nutrition intake or weaker nutrient absorption.

Your child’s may be required to undergo blood, urine or other medical tests, and monitored for his caloric intake, health history, activity level and stress level for a period of time as there are many potential causes to the problem.