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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
Eating problems
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
Eating problems
by Lisa Thessin, Jan 20, 2000 12:00AM
My son is 7 1/2 years old. He eats very little or should I say there are very few things he will eat. He has never had the usual foods most children have--hot dogs, pb&j, a sandwich, vegetables, fruit, etc. He will eat food high in carbohydrates--pretzels, popcorn, waffles (no syrup), cereal and he'll eat certain sweets. The doctor keeps telling me not to worry, make sure he gets a multivitamin, he'll eat one day and he hasn't fallen off his curve. He has no body fat at all. I have tried on a few occassions to make him eat what his brothers were eating and telling him it was eat that or nothing. He wins--he will go days without food. If I think too hard about the lack of eating, it makes me crazy. Is this a potential eating disorder? Am I worrying for nothing? When I ask him to just try a bite of something,he always says it doesn't look good.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Jan 20, 2000 12:00AM
, Jan 20, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Ms. Thessin,
No, your son's behavior does not sound like incipient eating disorder. The pediatrician's advice is very wise; you won't be making a mistake if you take it to heart.
One adjustment you might make is around the types of food you have in the house. Perhaps you abet his habits a bit by making too many of the desired (but not particularly nutritious) foods available.
Try not to think about this in terms of winning/losing. It's not a contest. Simply prepare sensible meals, offer them to him, and let nature take its course. He'll be OK.
No, your son's behavior does not sound like incipient eating disorder. The pediatrician's advice is very wise; you won't be making a mistake if you take it to heart.
One adjustment you might make is around the types of food you have in the house. Perhaps you abet his habits a bit by making too many of the desired (but not particularly nutritious) foods available.
Try not to think about this in terms of winning/losing. It's not a contest. Simply prepare sensible meals, offer them to him, and let nature take its course. He'll be OK.
