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How Can Poor Appetite In A Child Be Treated?
hello doctor Kondekar, my son is 6 year old.the problem is he does not eat food properly all the day. mainly the main food three times in home. but he eats any junk food wheather it is maggi or chips. but we dont used to give him those junk foods. please suggest
Fri, 23 Mar 2018
Hello,
Appetite in children is very individual: Some children eat a lot and some others do quite the opposite: They practically refuse to eat as normal children do.
In your case, it seems that your son is very fond of processed and or fast food. However, these are among most, not healthy food out in the market. Moreover, we all are facing such problems with our children because most other children around them to use high amounts of junk food.
But this battle can be won!
I suggest you to gradually limit the amount of junk food your son has access too. It could be done in various ways:
1. Buy him less and less of such junk food and accompany your decision with an explanation about the health effects of junk food. Usually, children at this age do understand perfectly what they are told and if you and others around you keep saying the same thing, then your son will be convinced (gradually).
2. Instruct grandmothers or grandfathers, uncles or aunts and other relatives not to buy your son junk food. Usually, unconsciously and in the name of excessive love, relatives do destroy parent's strategies to properly educate their children. Therefore, relatives have to be instructed not to meet your son's request regarding the provision of junk food. Instead, when he will ask for it, do buy him a toy or distract him with other activities.
3. Resist and do not buy the junk food he asks for, even though your son may cry like crazy, yells, talks loudly or does other appealing behavior. You will see that shortly after he will come down and will understand that you are determined in your decision.
4. Reward your son with something for every time he will deny using junk food. For example, spend more time with him, read a story to him, let him play five minutes more on a smartphone, etcetera.
5. Try to cook the foods he likes most, at home.
6. Sometimes try not to overfeed him, or do not beg to him to eat, in order for him to be a little hungry. When people feel hungry they think the food is more taste and they eagerly eat what is served to them.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ervin Toçi
Appetite in children is very individual: Some children eat a lot and some others do quite the opposite: They practically refuse to eat as normal children do.
In your case, it seems that your son is very fond of processed and or fast food. However, these are among most, not healthy food out in the market. Moreover, we all are facing such problems with our children because most other children around them to use high amounts of junk food.
But this battle can be won!
I suggest you to gradually limit the amount of junk food your son has access too. It could be done in various ways:
1. Buy him less and less of such junk food and accompany your decision with an explanation about the health effects of junk food. Usually, children at this age do understand perfectly what they are told and if you and others around you keep saying the same thing, then your son will be convinced (gradually).
2. Instruct grandmothers or grandfathers, uncles or aunts and other relatives not to buy your son junk food. Usually, unconsciously and in the name of excessive love, relatives do destroy parent's strategies to properly educate their children. Therefore, relatives have to be instructed not to meet your son's request regarding the provision of junk food. Instead, when he will ask for it, do buy him a toy or distract him with other activities.
3. Resist and do not buy the junk food he asks for, even though your son may cry like crazy, yells, talks loudly or does other appealing behavior. You will see that shortly after he will come down and will understand that you are determined in your decision.
4. Reward your son with something for every time he will deny using junk food. For example, spend more time with him, read a story to him, let him play five minutes more on a smartphone, etcetera.
5. Try to cook the foods he likes most, at home.
6. Sometimes try not to overfeed him, or do not beg to him to eat, in order for him to be a little hungry. When people feel hungry they think the food is more taste and they eagerly eat what is served to them.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ervin Toçi
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