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Food refusal in children is a fairly common challenge and can cause a lot of anxiety for parents. To improve this situation, parents should choose positive effects on children. At the same time, if parents suspect that anorexia is the cause of their child's slow weight gain, they should soon take the child to a nutritionist.
1. What is anorexia in children?
Anorexia or bulimia is common behavior in children. Most cases of children with anorexia are not due to serious causes but due to factors such as:
The child's personal preferences. Lack of hunger. Reluctance to try a new food. The child has some illness such as a sore throat or an upset stomach. Sometimes there can also be other causes that are more serious but we can still control and change. Therefore, it is important to understand why children refuse food. From there, we can find the answer to the question, what should an anorexic child do?
2. Reasons why children are lazy to eat
2.1. Picky eaters
When a child refuses to eat, the first thing parents do is label the child a picky eater. But it's important for parents to know what the true meaning of picky eaters is and that it's not the reason young ants are anorexic.
Picky eaters will often refuse certain foods or just want to eat the same foods over and over again. In many cases food refusal is related to preference. On the other hand, in addition to limited preferences, other problems may be noticed such as: difficulty swallowing, difficulty chewing. Although these problems are not common, they are also a factor in identifying the cause of anorexia in children.
Whatever the cause, parents should not try to force a child to eat. The best way to improve your baby's eating is to try to include foods that your baby loves at each meal along with other foods. Also practice introducing new foods slowly. In addition, being able to create children's meals with colorful and funny shapes will help children be more interested in meals.
Kén ăn khiến trẻ biếng ăn hơn
2.2. Set up meals for kids
Setting meal times will encourage your baby to eat with you. Some ideas for this process are:
Limit distractions during meals: When parents allow children to watch tablets, smartphones and TVs during meals, children lose interest in food. eating. While it may seem like a way to keep kids seated, it's best to limit the use of distracting electronic devices during mealtimes. With a focus on foods in meals, talking and bonding with family members will make it easier for children to eat. In addition, parents should make sure that the dining area is relaxed and that children have space to enjoy their meals. For example, it is advisable to find a suitable chair for the child and help them feel comfortable when eating with the family.
Offer the right portion of food for your child: It may be due to some problems that children refuse to eat their portions, but not all foods in their portions. Parents remember that children do not need as much food in their meals as adults. Therefore, if parents put too much food on the child's plate, it will make the child pressure and not be able to finish. This is not because the child does not want to eat it all, but because he eats enough. Try putting a small portion of food on your child's plate and your child may ask for more the next time. Don't set meal times too close to bedtime: Asking a sleepy child to sit down to eat can be challenging. Therefore, the meal time should not be close to bedtime. Eliminate mealtime stress: Forcing or yelling at children will not help make it easier for them to eat. Because when children are upset or start to cry, they will have negative reactions to meals. Therefore, during meals, children should not be pressured, but instead encourage children to happily cooperate with parents. Involve your child in meal preparation: Although many young children enjoy eating the same food from day to day, adding a variety of foods can help children enjoy their meals more. Parents, let your children help you choose new foods to try. Also, encourage children to join you in planning, shopping, and preparing food. Maybe when children participate in meal preparation with parents, it will help children have more interest in meals. Cut down on foods and drinks that aren't part of a meal: Some children refuse to eat when they eat too many snacks or drinks. Because, the baby's stomach is small and it is filled in a short time. If the child does not feel hungry at mealtimes, they will eat less. So, if you don't want your child to refuse the food of the main meal, stop the child's snacking and set a time for each meal. Understand your child's eating habits: Depending on how your child eats, they may eat more or less at different times of the day. So, children may refuse to eat at dinner, but they may eat a lot at breakfast or lunch.
2.3. Sensation problem
Most things can cause a child to refuse food when he is full or he is upset or he feels okay. For example, some children refuse food because they have sensory problems with food. This is different from cases of picky eating.
Children with sensory problems may be very sensitive to certain textures or colors of foods. This condition occurs differently in each child. For example, if children can only eat soft foods, they will have problems eating foods with a crunchy texture.
If the child is diagnosed with a sensory problem, it will affect the child's eating. To overcome this situation, parents should learn and help children choose foods that are attractive to their senses.
Forming healthy eating patterns and behaviors will help children easily accept a variety of foods. This type of therapy can also help people who have trouble chewing or dealing with other food-related problems.
Ba mẹ nên lựa chọn thực phẩm hấp dẫn cho bé
2.4. Problems related to oral motor skills
If the child is having difficulty eating, it may be related to problems with oral motor skills or problems with the feeding mechanism.
With oral motor skills problem. Children may cough, choke, or have food in their mouths. This causes stress and anxiety in children. If a child stops eating, it can lead to a long-term nutritional deficiency. At that time, the child will slowly gain weight and affect the child's development.
2.5. Pain related problems
When the child refuses food, it may be because pain is the reason that interferes with the child's eating. Some signs may be seen such as fever, diarrhea. Instead, being frustrated and angry with the child, parents should find out why the child refuses to eat.
Some problems that cause pain for children affect eating: teething, toothache, sore throat, acid reflux ... Or maybe food allergies.
Đau răng khiến trẻ ăn không ngon miệng
2.6. Problems related to eating disorders
Eating disorders can be found in children, although this is a rare condition. When children refuse food, it puts them at risk of nutrient and energy deficiencies. Children with this disorder will have difficulty maintaining healthy growth. Some signs of this disorder are: dizziness, fainting, low body temperature, rapid weight loss, vomiting, slow growth, brittle nails... If you suspect your child has an eating disorder, Parents, please take your child to see a doctor so that he can be examined and treated promptly.
In the case of children with prolonged anorexia, malabsorption, growth retardation, parents should supplement their children with supportive products containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, group vitamins. B helps to fully meet the nutritional needs of children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well. Parents can simultaneously apply dietary supplements and functional foods derived from nature for easy absorption. The most important thing is that improving your baby's symptoms often takes a long time. Combining many types of functional foods at the same time or changing many types in a short time can make the baby's digestive system unable to adapt and completely not good. Therefore, parents must be really persistent with their children and regularly visit the website vimec.com to update useful baby care information.
Reference source: healthline.com
