Check Out If Your Child’s Dish Is Fulfilling The WHO Recommendations II WHO Child Nutrition Score: Is Your Child’s Diet Meeting International Standards?

WHO Child Nutrition Score: Is Your Child's Diet Meeting International Standards?

WHO Child Nutrition Score: Is Your Child's Diet Meeting International Standards?

Take this 2-minute assessment based on WHO growth standards and IAP guidelines

How many servings of fruits does your child eat daily? (WHO recommends 2-3 servings)
How many servings of vegetables does your child eat daily? (WHO recommends 2-3 servings)
How often does your child eat protein-rich foods? (IAP recommends daily)
How much dairy does your child consume? (IAP recommends 2-3 servings daily)
What type of grains does your child mostly consume? (WHO recommends whole grains)
How often does your child consume sugary snacks or drinks? (WHO recommends limited intake)
How many meals does your child eat at regular times each day? (IAP recommends structured meals)
How much water does your child drink daily? (WHO recommends age-appropriate hydration)
How often does your child eat processed or packaged foods? (IAP recommends minimal intake)
How would you describe your child's overall eating habits? (Based on WHO standards)
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GOOD

Your Child's Nutrition Score

Dear Parent,

Dr. Khyati Kukadiya from Patel Children Hospital thanks you for taking the quiz.

As an expert in child health and according to WHO and IAP nutritional guidelines, I suggest you:

Your Little Child has reasonably good eating habits, but there's potential for improvement in their nutritional intake. Focus on increasing vegetable consumption and reducing processed foods to optimize their growth and development.

Recommendations for Better Nutrition

  • Include at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily (WHO recommendation)
  • Ensure adequate protein intake with each meal (IAP guidelines)
  • Choose whole grains over refined grains when possible
  • Limit sugary snacks and beverages to occasional treats
  • Establish regular meal and snack times
  • Encourage water as the primary beverage
  • Involve your child in meal preparation to increase interest in healthy foods

Assessment based on guidelines from the World Health Organization and Indian Academy of Pediatrics

For any child nutrition concerns, please consult Dr. Khyati Kukadiya, DCH, DNB (Gold Medalist) at Patel Children Hospital, 3rd floor, Sarthana Business Hub, above Zudio, Sarthana, Surat.

Call 7043431101/04 for any emergency.

This assessment is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Explore our other health resources: www.patelhospitalsurat.in/free-resources

👉 Take this 2-minute assessment based on WHO growth standards and IAP guidelines to understand if your child is receiving the right balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

As a parent, you may often wonder: Is my child eating right? Nutrition in the early years plays a crucial role in growth, brain development, and long-term health. The World Health Organization (WHO), the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide globally recognized growth standards and nutrition guidelines to help parents track whether their child’s diet is on the right path.

That’s where the WHO Child Nutrition Score comes in. It’s a quick and reliable way to assess if your child’s diet is meeting international standards — not just focusing on weight and height, but also considering balanced nutrition, growth velocity, and overall health.

Why Nutrition Assessment Matters Beyond Weight & Height

Many parents measure their child’s health simply by checking weight and height. While these are important indicators, they don’t tell the whole story.

  • A child may have a “normal weight” but could still be nutrient deficient (e.g., iron deficiency anemia, vitamin D deficiency).

  • Growth can appear fine on a weighing scale, but imbalanced eating habits may affect immunity, concentration, and long-term development.

  • Over-nutrition is also a rising concern — junk food, sugary snacks, and processed foods can lead to childhood obesity, which has been linked to early-onset diabetes and orthopedic problems.

The WHO child growth standards recommend a more holistic nutrition assessment that takes into account growth curves, dietary intake, and activity levels.

Understanding the WHO Child Nutrition Score

The WHO Child Nutrition Score uses internationally accepted growth charts and dietary benchmarks. Here’s what it considers:

  1. Growth Chart Tracking (WHO, CDC, IAP):

    • Compares your child’s height-for-age, weight-for-age, and BMI-for-age.

    • Helps identify underweight, overweight, or normal growth patterns.

  2. Dietary Balance:

    • Checks if the daily diet includes fruits, vegetables, proteins, whole grains, and dairy.

    • Highlights gaps like excess sugar, junk food, or missing food groups.

  3. Micronutrient Needs:

    • Focuses on iron, calcium, vitamin D, and protein, which are often lacking in Indian children’s diets.

  4. Activity and Lifestyle:

    • Sedentary lifestyle and screen time affect metabolism.

    • Regular physical activity is factored into the assessment.

By combining these, the WHO/IAP nutrition score provides parents with a clear picture: Is my child’s diet aligned with international standards?

Benefits of Taking This 2-Minute Assessment

  • Quick & Reliable: Based on WHO, CDC, and IAP references.

  • Personalized Insights: Detects early signs of nutritional gaps.

  • Prevention of Future Health Issues: Identifies risks like underweight, obesity, anemia, or stunting.

  • Parent-Friendly Guidance: Provides practical tips on meal planning.

Simple Tips to Improve Your Child’s Nutrition

  • If your child’s nutrition score indicates a gap, here are some pediatrician-approved tips:

    • Include seasonal fruits and vegetables in every meal.

    • Ensure 2–3 servings of dairy or calcium-rich alternatives daily.

    • Provide lean proteins (eggs, pulses, fish, chicken, paneer, soy).

    • Limit processed food and sugary drinks.

    • Encourage 1 hour of outdoor play or physical activity daily.

    Remember, healthy eating habits built now will lay the foundation for a healthier future.

FAQs on WHO Child Nutrition Score

Q1. What is the WHO Child Nutrition Score?

  • The WHO Child Nutrition Score is a simplified assessment tool that compares your child’s growth and diet with international growth standards set by WHO, IAP, and CDC

Q2. How often should I check my child’s nutrition score?

  • Pediatricians recommend checking growth and nutrition status at least every 6 months, or during routine Well Baby Clinic visits.

Q3. Can a child have normal weight but still be malnourished?

  • Yes. A child may look healthy but could be missing essential micronutrients like iron or vitamin D. This is called hidden hunger.

Q4. How is this different from a BMI calculator?

  • Unlike BMI, the WHO Child Nutrition Score evaluates overall diet quality, micronutrient intake, and lifestyle, making it more comprehensive.

Q5. Where can I find WHO-approved growth charts?

  • Unlike BMI, the WHO Child Nutrition Score evaluates overall diet quality, micronutrient intake, and lifestyle, making it more comprehensive.

    You can access them on the WHO official website, the CDC growth charts, or the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) portal.

What Does the 2-Minute Child Nutrition Assessment Cover?

  • This quick quiz, based on WHO and IAP guidelines, checks:

    • Does your child eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily?

    • Is protein (milk, eggs, pulses, lean meat) included regularly?

    • Does your child drink enough water instead of sugary beverages?

    • Is screen time balanced with physical activity?

    • Are growth milestones matching the CDC and WHO standards?

    The answers will help parents understand if adjustments are needed in meal planning or whether they should consult a pediatrician.

  • ✅ Written by Dr. Khyati Kukadiya (Sasani), Pediatrician & Neonatologist
    Patel Children Hospital, Surat – trusted for child growth, newborn care, vaccination, and pediatric intensive care.

    📍 Best Pediatric Hospital in Surat | Child Specialist near Varachha & Sarthana Jakatnaka

  • 📍 Patel Children Hospital – 3rd Floor, Sarthana Business Hub, Above Zudio, b/s Takshshila Arcade, Sarthana, Surat
    📞 Appointments: 7043431101 / 04
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