The Link Between Snacking and Stunted Growth - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance

• Research shows constant snacking disrupts children's growth hormone rhythms, reducing bone development by up to 17% compared to structured mealtimes
• Regular meals trigger natural surges of growth hormone that strengthen bones, while grazing produces flat, ineffective hormone levels
• In studies with both rats and humans, those eating structured meals had three times more growth hormone bursts compared to those snacking continuously
• The body's hunger hormone (ghrelin) works properly with scheduled meals, helping trigger growth hormone release essential for skeletal development
• To support healthy growth in children, implement consistent mealtimes, avoid between-meal snacks and serve nutrient-dense whole foods instead of processed varieties