HÀ NỘI — International and Vietnamese paediatric nutrition experts shared the latest clinical study on the impact of nutrition intervention on healthy growth and dietary diversity in children at a symposium held last Saturday in Hà Nội.

The event, titled “Evidence-based Nutrition Solutions for Healthy Growth and Dietary Diversity in Children with Growth Issues,” was organised by the Việt Nam Pediatric Association.

Paediatric nutrition experts said long-term use of oral nutritional supplements would help children at risk of undernourishment catch up on growth after nine weeks. They also claimed it would assist nutritional adequacy, dietary diversity, health outcomes and longitudinal growth in children at risk of undernourishment.

Experts advised that children who consume a limited diet may face the risk of undernourishment and growth issues, noting that they need timely nutritional intervention.

“Parents should detect any nutritional issues or abnormal growth in their children and talk with doctors to start nutritional intervention if necessary. Timely nutritional intervention can address the immediate causes of under-nutrition, such as inadequate dietary intake, and some of the underlying causes, such as children’s access to food,” Prof Nguyễn Gia Khánh, president of the Việt Nam Pediatric Association, said.

“Children in their early years of life grow at very rapid rates. Eating a varied and well-balanced diet is critical during this period, as consuming a wide range of food groups provides essential vitamins, minerals and other critical nutritional elements that children need for healthy growth and development,” Prof Marion Margaret, Department of Pediatrics, National University of Singapore, said. 

Participants agreed that good nutrition has played an important role to ensure children’s development and healthy growth.

Increasing dietary diversity would help ensure children consume all of the essential nutrients that their growing bodies demand, promote good health and reduce the risk of disease.

Poor nutrition during a child’s formative years has a physical and psychological impact that can cause stunting, being underweight and micronutrient deficiencies, which may have a long-term impact. — VNS