Extended loss of appetite

Our daughter is a happy, social, day-cared child.  But, she has fallen on her weight curves and REFUSES to eat.  Well, she eats very small amounts of a few foods...but never eats a full meal.  And she refuses most food.  She doesn't even wake up hungry!  We prepare with her, we sit with her, we coax her, but her lips are sealed, she shakes her head "no" and she litterally pushes the food away.  We're at wits end as to what to do to get her to eat even a slightly reasonable amount of food.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Renee Radenberg]

Her weight is between the 10-25th percentile and her height is between the 75-90th percentile which indicates she is normal for her age. It is frustrating when your child has no interest in food. At her age she can feed herself with ‘finger foods’( regular food cut up a small pieces). Suggest replacing her milk at meals/snacks with milkshakes (milk and ice cream blended), or yogurt smoothies (yogurt, fruit, and ice cream) for additional calories and protein for weight gain. Try engaging her in the kitchen more. Have her help you with planning and preparation of food, and setting the table. Hopefully this will increase her interest in food. The most important is to relax at meals. Try introducing new foods. Sometimes it takes 5-9 times to introduce a food that she will accept, however, if she do not want it you have to not make a fuss and let it go. Give her the food she likes. Hoped this helped you.