Sun May 25 20:40:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text, along with a summary:
**Summary:**
A webinar hosted by The Hindu in collaboration with Naruvi Hospitals in Vellore emphasized the importance of balanced diet, good sleep, and physical activity for raising healthy children. Experts discussed maternal health, newborn care, nutrition after six months, monitoring milestones, and adolescent health, highlighting the importance of the Mother and Child Protection card and addressing common issues like anaemia, anxiety, and overweight in teenagers. They stressed parental involvement, communication, and setting positive examples.
**News Article:**
**Experts Emphasize Holistic Approach to Child Health at Vellore Webinar**
*CHENNAI, May 26, 2025* – Parents seeking to raise healthy and happy children need to focus on more than just academics, according to experts at a webinar held in Vellore on Sunday. The webinar, titled “How to Raise a Healthy Child,” was the 11th installment of The Hindu’s “Healthy India Happy India” initiative, organized in collaboration with Naruvi Hospitals.
Panelists emphasized the fundamental roles of balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and regular physical activity in a child’s development, from newborns to adolescents.
Dr. Murugesan A. of JIPMER, Puducherry, urged parents to utilize the readily available and often underused Mother and Child Protection (MCP) card. “This card, designed by the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, and Women and Child Development is a valuable resource,” he stated, highlighting its pictorial guidance on pregnancy and newborn care.
Dr. Sonia Mary Kurian, head of Paediatrics at Naruvi Hospitals, stressed the importance of introducing diverse food groups after six months of exclusive breastfeeding. She cautioned against prolonged bottle-feeding, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies and increase the risk of obesity, blood pressure, and diabetes later in life. Dr. Kurian also advised parents to be vigilant about developmental milestones and seek professional help if delays are observed.
Focusing on adolescent health, Dr. V. Nagarajan, consultant paediatrician, addressed common issues such as anaemia, anxiety disorders, and overweight. He emphasized the crucial role of parents in creating a safe, loving, and supportive environment for teenagers. “There is a lack of awareness about adolescent health and a stigma to reach out for professional help,” Dr. Nagarajan noted. He encouraged parents to be role models for healthy habits, communicate openly with their children, and offer meaningful alternatives to potentially harmful activities.
The webinar underscored that raising a healthy child requires a comprehensive approach that addresses physical, mental, and social well-being, and active parental involvement.
First Piper 