Nutrition: Foundations for Life

Answer

a.  Thyroid disease does not produce a growth pattern of this nature, but rather a pattern with decreased linear growth in the face of mild relative gains in weight.

b.  Though prolonged bottle use is often a factor in the growth pattern shown, prolonged breast feeding is protective against an overweight condition.

c.  (correct) Overfeeding is the most common cause of this growth pattern.  Juice and excessive snacks are the most common types of overfeeding.   The following are good recommendations for families of toddlers:

• Limit juice to no more than two 6-ounce servings 

• Avoid constant availability of snacks . 

Additional information about juice intake is available from the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement on "The Use and Misuse of Fruit Juice in Pediatrics".

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