Patient issues

Patient Issues

Children’s eating habits are varied and unique as their own developing personalities, so making sure they all receive the necessary nutrients for proper growth can sometimes be a challenge.

The following 4 case studies have been developed to aid you in identifying potential patient issues, and learn how BOOST® Kid Essentials Drink can offer parents a balanced, nutritious and fun to eat option for their children:
  1. Diagnosed Failure to Thrive
  2. Below or Slightly Below Growth Percentiles
  3. Picky Eater (who isn’t getting all the necessary nutrition)
  4. Active High Achiever
Joel, Age 3
Diagnosed FTT

Situation:
Even before Joel turned 1 year old, his mom started noticing changes in his behavior and development compared to his older siblings. He was slow to reach major milestones such as sitting up, walking, and talking and had less energy than other children his age

Now that he is 3 years old, his growth has been affected – likely due to chronic under nutrition. He is now below the 5th percentile on the growth chart, with a declining growth velocity. His growth curve over the last year is consistently becoming flatter and has crossed two major percentiles.

How can you identify FTT?1
A diagnosis of FTT generally has an underlying cause; however, common to all cases, is the failure to gain weight, which may be accompanied by poor height growth. Recent research has shown the weight to age ratio is the simplest and most reasonable marker for FTT.2 Other growth parameters that can assist in making the diagnosis of FTT are weight for height and height for age.2 Children diagnosed with FTT usually have a weight that is below the 3rd or 5th percentile for their age, or a growth curve that is flattening over time.

How can BOOST Kid Essentials Drink help Joel?
BOOST Kid Essentials Drink is an excellent source of 25 essential nutrients, and makes a nutritious and delicious snack or meal.

BOOST Kid Essentials Drink provides complete, balanced nutrition for kids ages 1 to 13, helping provide a proper balance of nutrients. BOOST Kid Essentials Drink advances a child’s nutrition with:

  • 25 essential vitamins and minerals
  • 7 grams of muscle-building protein
  • 244 energy-packed calories
  • Good source of antioxidants (Vitamins C and E, as well as Selenium)
Available in 3 kid-approved flavors (chocolate, strawberry and vanilla), BOOST Kid Essentials Drink can help kids like Joel receive the nutrients they need to thrive.

Concise guide to FTT.

Recommend BOOST Kid Essentials Drink as a nutritious alternative when kids like Joel need it most. Moms can feel good knowing they are providing their children with 25 essential nutrients and 7 grams of muscle-building protein to help them grow healthy and strong.

References:
1. Kids Health Article “Failure to Thrive”. Accessed July 2008 at URL: http://kidshealth.org/parent/food/weight/failure_thrive.html
2. Krugman SD et al. Failure to thrive. Am Fam Phys 2003;68(5):879-84.
Jacob, 6 years old
Consistently 25th percentile on growth chart

Situation:
For his age, Jacob meets an acceptable weight-to-height ratio; however, he is still on the low side of the growth chart compared to boys his age – often around the 25th percentile. He eats a variety of healthy foods, and has the energy to play outside with his friends, but he could benefit from additional nutrition. Jacob’s parents want to make certain he’s receiving the vitamins and minerals he needs to continue to grow strong and healthy.

How can BOOST Kid Essentials Nutritionally Complete Drink help Jacob?
BOOST Kid Essentials Drink is a nutritious and delicious snack or meal, helping provide a proper balance of nutrients into kids’ diets.

BOOST Kid Essentials provides complete, balanced nutrition for kids ages 1 to 13. BOOST Kid Essentials Drink supplements children’s nutrition with:

  • 25 essential vitamins and minerals
  • 7 grams of muscle-building protein
  • 244 energy-packed calories
  • Good source of antioxidants (Vitamins C and E, as well as Selenium)
Additional advice for Jacob’s Mom:
As long as Jacob continues to eat a variety of nutritious foods, and maintain an acceptable weight-to-height ratio, he should continue to grow strong and healthy. To provide Jacob with the essential nutrients for proper growth, BOOST Kid Essentials Drink is an excellent choice. And it’s available in 3 kid-approved flavors: chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla.
Ally, 4 years old
Typical ‘picky eater’

Situation:
When it comes to mealtime, Ally barely touches her food. She is reluctant to try new things and protests against eating anything green. Her mom is frustrated because Ally will only eat a very short list of food including sweets, cheese, and white bread. Mom is concerned about the small amount of food that Ally eats, as well as the lack of nutrients due to her picky tastes.

How can BOOST Kid Essentials Nutritionally Complete Drink help Ally?
BOOST Kid Essentials Drink is a delicious way to introduce nutrients into a child’s diet. Ally is sure to love the 3 available, kid-approved flavors: chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla.

BOOST Kid Essentials Drink provides complete, balanced nutrition for kids ages 1 to 13. BOOST Kid Essentials Drink advances a child’s nutrition with:

  • 25 essential vitamins and minerals
  • 7 grams of muscle-building protein
  • 244 energy-packed calories
  • Good source of antioxidants (Vitamins C and E, as well as Selenium)
Additional advice for Ally’s Mom:
To help introduce new foods to Ally in a different or more effective way, try these helpful tips:

  • Reinforce that mealtime should be fun. Suggest cutting pancakes into fun shapes using cookie cutters, or making faces out of cheese, crackers and veggie slices for eyes, noses and smiles.
  • Slip in veggies by mashing, or blending them into other foods such as soups or baked goods can help introduce vitamins and minerals without a lot of fuss.
  • Drink up. Sometimes children prefer to drink it, rather than eat it. A healthy and nutritious beverage like BOOST Kid Essentials Drink can provide a delicious and healthy option.
  • Swap meals not mealtime. If a picky eater like Ally enjoys cereal, it’s OK to have cereal for dinner, or leftover dinner for breakfast.
Lastly, sometimes children are just picky eaters, and no amount of trying, cutting or camouflaging will do. Remind Moms about the importance of not showing disappointment, which can reinforce a child’s behavior.

Showing frustration may encourage them to remain picky. Children won’t let themselves go hungry, so eventually, she will eat. By continually offering healthy options, Moms will soon see healthy habits start to form.
Conner, 9 years old
Active, athletic, and social

Situation:
Conner eats well and is maintaining an optimum weight-to-height ratio. However he maintains an extremely busy schedule: plays team sports, swimming lessons, extracurricular school activities, and community clubs. Conner’s mother is concerned whether he is getting all the nutrition he needs for his active lifestyle.

How can BOOST Kid Essentials Nutritionally Complete Drink help Conner?
BOOST Kid Essentials Drink provides complete, balanced nutrition for every child ages 1 to 13. BOOST Kid Essentials Drink advances children’s nutrition with:

  • 25 essential nutrients
  • 7 grams of muscle-building protein
  • 244 energy-packed calories
  • A good source of antioxidants (Vitamins C and E, as well as Selenium)
Available in 3 kid-approved flavors (chocolate, strawberry and vanilla), BOOST Kid Essentials Drink makes a nutritious and delicious snack or meal.

Additional advice for Conner’s Mom:
Encourage Conner to eat a variety of nutritious foods to maintain his weight-to-height ratio. Be sure Conner gets plenty of hydration all through the day. Also, allow regular times for Conner to rest and recharge.

To provide Conner with the essential nutrients for proper growth, BOOST Kid Essentials Drink is an excellent choice. And it’s available in 3 kid-approved flavors that Conner can conveniently enjoy between activities: chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla.