Today’s children are well cared for, enjoying abundant food and additional nutritional supplements, but picky eating is becoming more common, leading to many children experiencing developmental issues, especially in terms of bone growth, manifested as short stature. This situation may mislead parents and impact the healthy growth of children. Therefore, ensuring balanced nutrition during infancy and early childhood is crucial. If signs of growth delay are noticed in children, immediate attention should be given.
Bones in the human body are like the framework of a building, supporting and shaping our physique, with their development directly affecting height. Children’s long bones consist of the shaft, epiphysis, and growth plate, where bone elongation occurs, promoting height increase.
Calcium, magnesium, and other minerals are essential for building strong bones. They are necessary deposits for bone development, ensuring bone strength. In newborns, bones are relatively soft, such as the fontanel area on the head, where pulsation of subcutaneous blood vessels can be felt, indicating incomplete bone ossification. As children grow older, correct sitting and standing postures are crucial for the normal curvature of the spine; premature adoption of sitting or standing positions may lead to spinal abnormalities affecting height.
Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the body, is mostly stored in bones and works synergistically with magnesium to promote bone and dental health. Childhood to adolescence is a critical period of rapid bone development, where adequate intake of calcium and magnesium is vital for preventing growth delays and bone deformities. Deficiency not only affects bone development but can also lead to rickets and dental issues.
Therefore, during the golden period of children’s bone development, parents should focus on supplementing calcium, magnesium, and other minerals to ensure children receive sufficient nutritional support, preventing lifelong impacts of early nutritional deficiencies. Starting from infancy, monitoring children’s nutrition intake and physical development, making appropriate dietary adjustments and supplementary measures can effectively prevent poor bone development. Additionally, focusing on children’s mental health comprehensively promotes their overall healthy growth.
