7 child health truths & myths

Around the world, child development professionals are warning that even high-information parents can become susceptible to child health and nutrition myths recklessly viraled on the internet, WhatsApp groups and social media platforms, write Poornima Dilip, Cynthia John & Mini P. In the new age of the worldwide web and ubiquitous social media, young parents have free and easy access to good, bad and indifferent advice on ways and means to nurture 21st century children. But startling new evidence is emerging that information overload is confusing and stressing young parents worldwide.Unsurprisingly childcare and nurturance professionals are unanimous that reliance on online health and medical advice is dangerous. In an essay for the Washington Post, Dr. Alice Callahan, a US-based author and well-respected nutritional biologist, writes: “Know that no website can be a substitute for a healthcare provider. If you think your child is really sick, don’t bring her symptoms to Facebook. Get real medical care”. This advice is fast assuming choral proportions. Around the world, child development professionals are warning that even high-information parents can become susceptible to child health and nutrition myths recklessly viraled on the internet, WhatsApp groups and social media platforms. With the after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic continuing to threaten children, parental anxiety about children’s well-being is unabated. ParentsWorld spoke to well-qualified medical experts and paediatricians to compile a list of seven important child health truths and myths of which every parent should be aware to enable orderly child development. Pregnant women should not eat for two A myth perpetuated through generations is that pregnant women should eat for two people. Therefore, they are often force-fed high calorie foods such as ghee, sweets and meat. For instance in Indian joint family households, it’s quite common for elders to insist that women consume 10-15 litres of ghee during their pregnancy. Such advice should be disregarded. Over-eating during pregnancy leads to weight gain, increases the risk of gestational diabetes, backaches and high blood pressure and ups chances of delivering an overweight infant. Moreover, there’s increased risk of both mother and child being predisposed to obesity throughout life. “This is an ancient myth. A pregnant woman should definitely not eat for two in terms of quantity. They should consume a nutritious diet rich in folate, vitamins and minerals, protein and fibre. Quality of food matters, not quantity,” warns Dr. Vasanthi Venkatesh, obstetrician gynaecologist at Shraddha Clinic, Bengaluru. The Indian Council of Medical Research recommends pregnant women should increase food intake by a mere 300 calories per day against the average daily consumption of 2,000-2,500. Milk intake can never be enough Milk is hyped as a compulsory and often sole nourishment for infants and children. In most middle class homes, parents insist that children continue this habit into adult life. Though there’s no denying that milk is a good source of nutrition and calcium, over consumption can cause dental caries. According to Dr. Ashmita Sudhakar, dental surgeon at the Akshaya Dental Care Centre, Bengaluru, though milk is not cariogenic and doesn’t…