Child and Family Health Assessment

Case study context:
Susie is an energetic, 3 year old. Her parents are concerned that she will not eat all her food that they prepare for her and that she just eats small snacks throughout the day.   Her dad thinks they should insist she sits and finishes all her meal before allowing her to continue normal activities. Her mum is not comfortable with this strategy.

Maintaining child and family health assessment is critical in achieving and sustaining normal growth and development. Additionally, in recent years there has been increased awareness of the importance of growth and nutrition inextricably linked with cognitive development. We already know that research reinforces the concept that a good start in life is important to all infants and young children, with many aspects combining to influence their overall health and development. Subsequently this influences their health outcomes in later years from adolescence through to adulthood. This paper, with close reference to current Australian legislation and policies, will address the following areas of health for a 3 year old female pre-schooler; supporting optimum growth and development; current recommendations regarding nutrition and safety, and the responsibility of health care professionals regarding making accurate health assessments for young children and their families. Following on are recommendations to the parents’ particular concern of their 3 year old daughter surrounding food intake.

Assessment of growth and development for a 3 year old female child:
Physical growth refers to an increase in size, whereas development is growth in function and capability. A 3 year olds’ physical growth is best assessed by height, weight and head circumference as described by the World Health Organisation (WHO) referring to their revised International Child Growth Standards.   The growth charts were devised by using statistical methodologies to generate the standards, showing the normal ranges for weight for age,...