Causes of Poor Weight Gain

• Inadequate food intake: the child shows reduced food intake, resulting in the following inadequacies:
  • low iron
  • low vitamins
  • low proteins
  • low calcium
• Failure to assimilate or inability to absorb and retain nutrients, due to two main reasons:
  • food intolerance
    • gluten sensitivity; wheat or proteins causing stomach sickness
    • lactose intolerance; unable to tolerate milk and milk products such as curd, cheese or milk in any other form
  • medical reasons
    • worm infestations
    • frequent illnesses such as diarrhoea, fever and respiratory allergies
    • food allergies due to colours and preservatives in the food
    • thyroid dysfunction
    • tuberculosis
    • genetic diseases, such as Down’s syndrome and inborn error of metabolism
    • premature or preterm babies
    • certain medications that can interfere with the absorption of food
    • type 1 diabetes
    • heart diseases
• Psychological and behavioural problems:
  • mood swings
  • mood disorders
  • risky behaviour
  • stubborn, obstinate children throwing temper tantrums
  • difficult child
  • disobedient, angry and irritable children