From the Guidelines
At 17 months, a healthy weight gain pattern typically ranges from 3-5 pounds (1.4-2.3 kg) over a 6-month period, and to promote healthy weight gain, it is essential to offer nutrient-dense foods with higher calories and establish a balanced diet and lifestyle. If your child is not gaining weight appropriately, first consult with their pediatrician to rule out medical issues 1. To promote healthy weight gain, offer nutrient-dense foods with higher calories such as avocados, nut butters (if no allergies), full-fat yogurt, cheese, and healthy oils added to meals. Serve frequent small meals and snacks throughout the day rather than three large meals. Include protein sources at each meal such as eggs, meat, beans, or dairy products. Limit juice and other low-nutrient drinks that might fill up your child without providing adequate nutrition. Focus on making mealtimes positive experiences without pressure or distractions. Some key factors to consider in promoting healthy weight gain in children include:
- Dietary factors such as increased fruit and vegetable intake, which may be associated with a decreased risk of overweight 1
- Family diet behaviors, such as parental restriction of highly palatable foods, consumption of food away from home, increased meal portion size, and skipping breakfast, which may be associated with an increased risk of pediatric obesity 1
- Physical activity levels, as excessive sedentary behaviors and lack of adequate physical activity may contribute to obesity 1
- Parenting practices, such as parenting styles, nutritional knowledge, and beliefs regarding healthful eating and activity patterns, which can influence a child's dietary and activity habits 1 Weight gain concerns at this age should be addressed with medical guidance, as this is a critical developmental period when children are establishing eating patterns and nutritional foundations for growth.
From the Research
Weight Gain in Children
- Excessive weight gain in the first 2 years of childhood is a risk factor for future obesity 2
- Rapid weight gain during infancy is a known risk factor for later childhood obesity 3
Identification and Management
- Primary care providers' methods for identifying excessive weight gain in children under 2 years old show high variability 2
- Providers recognize multiple barriers to executing weight-related conversations with caregivers, including the need for additional support to improve their ability to respond to excessive weight gain 2
- A comprehensive 4-step or staged-care approach for weight management is proposed, including prevention, structured weight management, comprehensive multidisciplinary intervention, and tertiary care intervention 4
Treatment and Intervention
- Nonpharmacologic measures for managing weight gain include a balanced deficit diet, physical activity, and behavioral training 5
- Drug therapy for weight loss is available, but the risks may outweigh the benefits for most patients 5
- Medication-induced weight gain and advanced therapies for children with overweight or obesity are addressed in the Obesity Medicine Association Clinical Practice Statement 6
Prevention and Healthy Habits
- Breastfeeding, formula feeding, complementary feeding, sleep, responsive parenting, and education around growth charts and monitoring are topics that can form the foundations of conversations to help families establish healthy habits and lower the risk of later obesity 3
- Healthcare professionals should instigate non-stigmatising discussions with families about rapid weight gain and general healthy practices for their infants 3