Intensive Nutrition Counseling and Dietary Intervention Improve Weight Gain of Underweight and Failure to Thrive (FTT) Pediatric Patients in AL-Khor Hospital – State of Qatar

Abstract

Introduction: Nutritional status is an important health indicator for children who are vulnerable to nutritional and health problems. Growth and development occur very rapidly during the first two years of life. Inadequate food consumption and infectious diseases are the primary factors contributing to nutritional problems. Aims: This study aims to determine the effect of nutritional counseling on the weight gain of undernourished children who received additional high-calorie food. Methods: The intervention consisted of providing nutritional counseling and high-calorie food supplements. This cross-sectional study employs an independent t-test with a 5% significance level to assess the improvement in body weight. Results: The results showed statistically significant differences in the average weight gain of patients before and after the intervention. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the family guidance model, combined with nutritional counseling, can enhance the weight gain of children.