Pediatrician Advises Parents to Regulate Milk Intake to Prevent Childhood Obesity
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25 February 2024 13:22 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Regulating the amount of milk given to children is key to preventing childhood obesity, stated chairperson of the Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI), Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, on Saturday, February 24, 2024.
"There are many misbeliefs in the community, such as thinking milk is a super drink that can meet children's nutritional needs without being balanced with other foods. For example, when it is difficult to feed children, they are given excessive milk," he added.
He said that giving too much milk to children can increase their obesity risk.
"Milk, in addition to containing high protein, also contains high sugar. Parents must be more careful by regulating milk consumption to prevent obesity in children," he explained.
He said that 200 milliliters (ml) of milk, given one to two times a day, is the appropriate quantity for supporting children's growth and development.
"Children can become obese if given eight to ten bottles of milk a day because the most balanced is about 200 milliliters, or a maximum of one glass," he said.
Excessive milk consumption in children can be caused by prolonged bottle feeding, he pointed out.
"Parents often give the milk bottle to children for a prolonged period of time, which causes an excessive dose of milk. Bottle-feeding should be transitioned away from by one year old and milk should be prepared in a glass. This way, I guarantee that would not be excessive," he said.
To prevent obesity in children, parents must try to balance their intake of nutrients with animal proteins, fruit, and vegetables.
"We must pay attention to children's consumption from an early age, one of which is bottle-feeding. Moreover, processed milk contains a lot of artificial sweeteners. Hence, the risk of diabetes and obesity in children is getting bigger," he said.
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