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Baryophobia
Some children and young adults who grow more slowly and have a shorter
stature than normal may suffer from baryophobia (literally “the fear of
becoming heavy”). Inadequate Growth in children usually results from
diseases- commonly, a hormonal or other metabolic abnormality. In the
absence of a recognized disease in such children, the possibility of
baryophobia, also called nutritional growth failure, should be
investigated. This is not a specific psychiatric (DSM-IV) category, but
can be serious nevertheless.
This disorder occurs when children are given the same low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet that adults follow. Adults do this in an attempt to prevent children from developing obesity or cardiovascular disease later in life. Today’s parents and caregivers, themselves frequently harassed by weight problems, may be determined that the children in their care will avoid such ordeals. Although these caregivers are well intended, such severely restricted diets are detrimental to children because they don’t supply enough energy to sustain an adequate growth rate. In young adults, low-energy diets may be self-imposed to avoid a perceived risk of obesity.
Because this disorder results largely from lack of appropriate nutrition information leading to poor food choices, nutritional counseling to caregivers and young adults is the most effective response. They need to be informed about the nutrient requirements and normal weight-gain patterns for the relevant age group. This counseling will show caregivers that including some sweets and medium-fat foods in a child’s diet is appropriate. The diet can still minimize saturated fat and cholesterol intake, a more important focus in a diet designed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Supplying adequate carbohydrate, protein, fat and other nutrients is the key to promoting growth in both height and weight during childhood and the young-adult years, and it can be done in a healthful manner.
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This disorder occurs when children are given the same low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet that adults follow. Adults do this in an attempt to prevent children from developing obesity or cardiovascular disease later in life. Today’s parents and caregivers, themselves frequently harassed by weight problems, may be determined that the children in their care will avoid such ordeals. Although these caregivers are well intended, such severely restricted diets are detrimental to children because they don’t supply enough energy to sustain an adequate growth rate. In young adults, low-energy diets may be self-imposed to avoid a perceived risk of obesity.
Because this disorder results largely from lack of appropriate nutrition information leading to poor food choices, nutritional counseling to caregivers and young adults is the most effective response. They need to be informed about the nutrient requirements and normal weight-gain patterns for the relevant age group. This counseling will show caregivers that including some sweets and medium-fat foods in a child’s diet is appropriate. The diet can still minimize saturated fat and cholesterol intake, a more important focus in a diet designed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Supplying adequate carbohydrate, protein, fat and other nutrients is the key to promoting growth in both height and weight during childhood and the young-adult years, and it can be done in a healthful manner.
[IMG]http://www.rajagiriworld.com/happy.gif [/IMG]
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