| Dr. A.P.Dubey - Pediatrician |
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Infancy and preschool age are the important years in life for growth and development of a child.
Did you know that during these years
- The brain size doubles?
- Body weight increases by four times?
- The immune system of the body develops?
- Other important organs of the body such as the digestive system develop further?
One of the most important factors that determine the normal growth and development during this period is nutrition. However, problematic eating behaviors are common in children. These behaviors could range from picky eating or fussy eating, irregular eating, binge eating and overeating.
Is your child having a problematic eating behavior?
Childhood days are often marked by phases of fussiness and tantrums. Your child’s eating habits may be worrying you. You can identify if your child is a problematic eater / fussy eater if he
- Is less interested in food
- Plays with food
- Does not eat many familiar foods
- Eats the same kind of food at every meal
- Does not try new foods
- Has strong food preferences
- Does not like some food groups like vegetables, fruits, or milk
- Throws tantrums at meal times
- Pushes, hides or throws food during meal time
- Takes a very long time to complete the meals
There are many causes of eating behaviors including
- Inappropriate eating behaviors of parents, caregivers, siblings, and peers
- Lack of food variety
- Family social climate
- Praise; or negative response for consuming certain foods
- Media and advertising strategies
Problematic eating may result in significant health consequences due to micronutrient and macronutrient deficiencies. A child who does not get balanced nutrition may be inactive and sluggish. He may get tired easily and lack interest in outdoor activities. If adequate nutrition is not provided the child may have short stature, poor attention- concentration, decreased mental performance, decreased learning ability, and increased risk of infections. Also, eating too many sweets or chocolates may be harmful for teeth resulting in dental caries and may even result in health problems like overweight and obesity.
How to deal with problematic eaters?
Mealtimes are important and should therefore be relaxed and fun. This will not only ensure that your child gets adequate nutrition but also bring you closer as a family.
Make mealtime comfortable and enjoyable:
Do not watch television during meals. Instead talk to your child about his day. Make mealtime interesting so that your child will look forward to it.
Have a schedule:
Plan meals at the same time everyday. Do not encourage your child to eat at odd hours. Involve your child in planning meals and setting/clearing the table.
Avoid force:
Let your child decide how much to eat. Don’t try to force him to finish what is on his plate.
Keep mealtimes short:
Do not keep forcing your child to eat for more than 15-20 minutes.
Make meals healthier:
Improve the nutritive value of the foods that your child likes. Try to change the texture and flavor of foods to make it more acceptable to him.
Small to big:
Give small portions of foods to your child especially while introducing new foods. Gradually increase the size of food portion.
Step by step:
Introduce one new food at a time and introduce it with something your child likes.
Do not bribe:
Do not offer sweets or unhealthy foods to encourage your child to eat.
Offer praise:
Praise your child when he finishes a meal. This would encourage him to finish his meals every time.
Do not replace:
Avoid taking away the refused food and replacing it with a new food that the child prefers.
Be patient:
Do not think that if your child is refusing a particular food, he will not eat it ever. Some children accept new foods when it is offered to them 10-15 times.
Keep offering:
Keep offering vegetables and fruits at each meal so that your child understands that they are always part of a normal meal.
Manage obesity:
If your child is putting on too much weight, limit his intake of junk, sweet andfat rich foods and increase his physical activity.
Educate:
Educate your child about the nutritional value of various foods and the benefits offered by them.
Supplementation:
You can include nutritional supplements in your child’s diet to overcome/ bridge the nutritional gaps in your child’s diet.
Be an idol:
Eat healthy food and watch your child doing the same. Avoid talking about your food dislikes in front of your child.
Do not get frustrated with your child’s eating behavior. Follow the above-mentioned simple steps and see your child enjoy a variety of foods. Give your child all the support he needs at this stage and watch him grow into a healthy adult.