Fortification interventions correct malnutrition in babies

Adequate nutrition has a cornerstone strategic position in early childhood development, and malnutrition can affect children's brain development, physical growth, muscle development and metabolism of body tissues in the near term, and may also affect children's intelligence and cognitive level, immunity in the long term, and increase the risk of
chronic diseases in adulthood 。 According to the Early Nutrition and Growth Trends in Nutrition Risk Children (hereinafter referred to as the "Report"), released on December 19, children with low birth weight, preterm birth, feeding difficulties such as poor appetite, fear of eating and picky eating, or diseases such as congenital heart disease and chronic diarrhea are more likely
to face malnutrition.

According to reports, the "Report" was compiled by six domestic authoritative experts in the field of pediatrics, including Professor Mao Meng of Pediatrics of West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University, Professor Xiang Wei of Pediatrics of Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Professor Li Xiaonan of the Department of Child Health Care of Nanjing Children's Hospital, Professor Shao Jie of the Department of Child Health Care of the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Professor Hong Li of the Department of Clinical Nutrition of Shanghai Children's Medical Center affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and Professor Chen Jinjin of the Department of Child Health Care of the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; Covering more than 180 cities, tracking and observing the nutritional intake and growth and development of 2,000 malnourished or at risk of malnutrition for 90 days for 90 days, it aims to help parents understand the key points
of nutrition and growth trends in early childhood at nutritional risk.

How should parents cope with the risk of malnutrition? "Parents can correct malnutrition or improve the physical growth of
babies at risk of malnutrition by improving feeding behaviors, nutritional fortification interventions, rational schedules, responsive care, and increasing outdoor activity time," Mao said.
Among them, the use of high-energy whole nutrition formula powder is one of the
important nutritional fortification interventions.
Studies have shown that infants and young children who use high-energy whole nutrition formula powder for 90 days have significantly improved their weight and height, and can also help promote appetite, improve picky eating and feeding difficulties
.
”

Du Yahong, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Medical Education Association, said: "The Healthy Children Action Enhancement Plan (2021-2025) issued by the National Health Commission clearly proposes to strengthen children's health management
.
The release of the Report will help popularize scientific nutrition and feeding guidelines, help China's early childhood nutrition progress, and lay a good foundation
for a healthy China.
”

Jiang Qiqi, head of the editorial department of "Health World" of the Chinese Medical Association, said: "As the academic support of this report, we have always adhered to the principle of
big experts taking the lead in popularizing science.
The formulation of the "Report" took more than half a year, and the expert group participated in the whole process, which is not only the mission and responsibility of actively responding to the call of national health science popularization work and helping the 'Healthy China' strategy, but also a model for carrying out medical science popularization work and solidly escorting public health
.
It is hoped that this report will enhance the awareness and practical ability
of caregivers in early childhood development.
”

As a supporter of the Report, Fang Fang, Head of Nutricia Children's Medical Nutrition Division, said: "Nutricia has always been committed to escorting the healthy growth of children with the power of nutrition, on the one hand, with targeted professional solutions to help babies cope with malnutrition, on the other hand, by uniting all sectors of society to promote the development of
China's children's health.
With the help of the Report, we hope to bring scientific feeding guidance to more families and help children's growth and development
in an all-round way.
”

China Food News(Version 03, December 21, 2022)

(Responsible editor: Luo Chen)