Low weight is one of the main causes of delayed physical and mental development in children, including intelligence and emotions.
Ongoing research on prebiotics and probiotics has revealed scientific evidence indicating that they can help children in these circumstances.
With the understanding that the product used should ideally contain the precise combination of prebiotics and probiotics, these are known as synbiotics.
Probiotics can help better utilize the caloric intake from the diet typically consumed through everyday nutrition.
Prebiotics are plant fibers that stimulate the growth of probiotic bacteria in the intestine.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed in sufficient quantities, benefit the health of the person consuming them.
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A synbiotic is a mixture of prebiotics and probiotics aimed at strengthening the activity of the intestinal microbiota.
Once these concepts are clear, modern urban lifestyles have led to changes in eating habits, directly affecting proper nutrition, ranging from underweight to obesity.
Low weight increases the frequency of infectious diseases in children. The vicious cycle between low weight and infection affects growth, social development, and learning.
The use of certain synbiotics has been shown to improve intestinal conditions, leading to weight gain through better nutrient absorption.
By restoring this intestinal pathway used by microbes, normal food intake is properly received, tolerated, and utilized by the body.
Additionally, these synbiotics promote a stronger immune system in infants, helping to break the infection–disease cycle and making them healthier children.
A healthy, non-inflamed intestine that functions well and improves bowel movements depends on healthy microbes and proper nutrition, leading to optimal child development.
Weight and height gain in childhood depend on maintaining these conditions over time.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines malnutrition as “deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in energy, protein, and/or other nutrients intake.”
Low weight is often caused by insufficient nutrition, meaning a lack of necessary nutrients to obtain adequate daily energy, leading to impaired intestinal function.
This is reflected in the 2013 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, which shows that 12.5% of the global population is undernourished.
Additionally, 26% of children worldwide suffer from growth stunting, meaning approximately 2 billion children lack essential micronutrients.
Children today also show low consumption of fruits, vegetables, and seeds, negatively affecting nutrition and increasing the risk of low weight.
A child with low weight may become malnourished. Malnutrition leads to constant energy deficiency, weakened health, and reduced immune defenses, increasing the risk of illness.
Early malnutrition reduces:
This perpetuates a cycle of malnutrition, poverty, and developmental delay.
Failing to address low weight increases the risk of frequent illness and mortality.
This risk is reduced by balancing nutritional intake and daily energy expenditure.
The best recommendation is maintaining a balanced diet for both children and adults.
A normal, balanced diet results in a healthy weight and should include vegetables, fruits, water, and daily exercise.
Another contributing factor to low weight in childhood is diarrhea. Persistent diarrhea weakens the immune system, increases disease recurrence, and may reduce vaccine effectiveness.
Diet is closely linked to culture and geography.
In Colombia, foods such as:
Reflect cultural diversity and are part of the nation’s heritage.
It is important to consider regional eating habits and ensure that daily food is properly utilized by the child’s intestine.
Children with low weight do not properly utilize food due to intestinal inflammation.
Addressing this before age 5 is key.
Probiotics from breast milk help positively colonize the intestine and strengthen immunity.
Consumption of probiotic-rich foods during the first 5 years helps prevent low weight and disease.
Probiotics help by:
This leads to better absorption of vitamins, improved metabolism, and overall better nutrition.
Maintaining a healthy microbiota is essential for optimal health.
A malnourished pregnant woman may pass on an unhealthy microbiota, increasing the risk of low birth weight.
A child born underweight is more prone to infections.
Children under 5 with low weight may need over 12 months to recover.
Synbiotics can help restore weight in 6–12 months by reducing inflammation and improving gut function.
Choosing the right probiotic strain is essential.
Using probiotics alongside antibiotics helps protect beneficial bacteria and speeds recovery.
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