Don't miss out on raising your daughters; from iron deficiency to peer pressure, a doctor explains how to take care of them.

News Topical, Digital Desk : A woman has varying nutritional needs throughout her lifetime. A major cause of poor nutrition and ill health in Indian children is the poor nutritional status of mothers before, during, and after pregnancy.

Girls have relatively less access to a proper and nutritious diet, which leads to problems like anemia, underweight, and slow growth. When it comes to girls' health, it shouldn't be limited to just preventing illness. Health encompasses a comprehensive picture of physical, mental, and emotional balance.

To make this beautiful, we need to consider some new challenges that have emerged over time. Such as increasing obesity at a young age, varying levels of anxiety due to screen time and peer pressure, etc. Some traditional social and gender norms also pose a major obstacle to girls' health. The most common of these is the habit, inculcated since childhood, of eating last in the family or consuming leftovers. 

Hemoglobin should be 12 at the age of 12 

It's also commonly referred to as anemia. Anemia is a condition characterized by a low red blood cell count. Girls are particularly vulnerable to the challenges of menstruation and nutritional deficiencies. This condition can cause the body to lack sufficient oxygen-rich blood, leading to fatigue and weakness.

It affects cognitive development and hinders physical growth. It can also cause depression and serious heart disease. This is why, under the Anemia-Free India strategy, girls and adolescents aged 10 to 19 are recommended to take a tablet of iron and folic acid once a week.

Each tablet contains 60 mg of natural iron and 500 micrograms of folic acid. According to Dr. Mala Srivastava, senior gynecologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, a woman's hemoglobin level should be 12 by the age of 12 to prevent this.

Developing Healthy Habits

Childhood is a time when both the body and mind develop rapidly. According to senior physician Dr. Sushila Kataria, from a young age, girls should be provided with proper nutrition, especially iron and calcium, accurate information about menstruation, and what it means to look good.

For example, educate girls about how poor nutrition can hinder their appearance. It's also important to stay active to avoid challenges related to blood sugar, thyroid problems, hypertension, and hormonal changes. Don't underestimate anxiety in girls.

Teach them how to recognize mental fatigue and emotional stress, and that incorporating yoga and meditation into their daily routine is essential to prevent them. If these habits are developed, the biggest benefit will be that girls will learn to prioritize their health as they grow older. They will not develop the tendency to postpone a problem, say they don't have time, or that the important task is urgent.

Why is the HPV vaccine important?

Cancer can be prevented through awareness and screening. One effective way is the HPV vaccine, which can prevent cervical cancer. Girls aged 9-14 should receive it. Vaccination develops immunity against infection. This can provide protection against cervical cancer (up to 90 percent) and other cancers.

• According to the National Family Health Survey - 3 (NFHS), overweight and obesity among children under 5 years of age has increased by 127 percent. 
• From 1.5 percent in 2005-06 (NFHS-3) to 3.4 percent in 2019-21 (NFHS-5).
• According to the National Family Health Survey-5, 67.1 percent of children and 59.1 percent of adolescent girls in India suffer from anemia. The survey also shows that three out of four Indian women have less than the recommended iron intake. 
• Obesity among adolescent girls increased by 125 percent (from 2.4 percent to 5.4 percent overall).

Homemade food, a treasure of health

Dr. Mala Srivastava (Gynecologist, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi) explains that a better way to address the nutritional problem in girls is to encourage them to eat home-cooked meals. Lentils, rice, vegetables, roti, and yogurt provide nutrition and also help control weight. Overweight girls are at risk for serious illnesses later in life. PCOS and cancer are the most serious risks.

Encourage them to eat food in all forms, whether raw or whole, boiled or roasted. Use healthy oils and ghee at home. Cooking food in an iron pan can help alleviate iron deficiency. Girls should be encouraged to prepare healthy meals so they understand the healthfulness of what they are preparing.

Don't let peer pressure make you sick 

Dr. Sushila Kataria (Senior Director, Internal Medicine, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram) explains that children should be encouraged from childhood to maintain a healthy diet and overall well-being. Girls should be equally encouraged to play sports. Explain to them that physical changes change the body's needs.

Irregular periods, fatigue, or frequent weakness should not be ignored, as these can be physical signals. Peer pressure during adolescence is also a factor that causes anxiety in children. Girls are extremely conscious of their body image. Under the influence of internet media, they experiment with their looks. Bullying due to obesity or the obsession with being thin can also make them sick.

keep these things in mind

• Milk shouldn't be considered a complete diet. Fruits, grains, and vegetables are also important. Girls should be given a full range of foods starting at one year of age.
• Prepare annual health reports for girls. Work on their weaknesses and adjust their daily routine accordingly.
• Even if your child appears healthy, have her checked. This checkup becomes even more important if someone in the family has had a medical condition.

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