Childhood anorexia is an eating disorder in which the child refuses to eat and the signs and symptoms of this type of disorder can occur early in life. In addition to a constant refusal to eat, the child may experience a lot of anxiety, vomiting or prolonged fasting, for example.
Constant refusal to eat is often a way to attract parents’ attention, and therefore the fact that there is an insistence on eating can further aggravate symptoms and lead to childhood anorexia.
- It is important that signs and symptoms of anorexia in children are identified early.
- As the pediatrician and psychologist can determine the best treatment for the child.
The main signs and symptoms that may indicate childhood anorexia are
In the presence of these symptoms, parents are advised to consult the pediatrician, so that the signs and symptoms of the child can be studied and appropriate treatment can be established to promote the child’s good development.
Childhood anorexia itself, in which the child is already afraid of not gaining weight from an early age, is closely related to the behavior and example of parents, friends and television in relation to food, especially when there are anorxial people in the family, because it is with them that the child can learn or hear negative comments such as food getting fat or that food is bad.
In addition, childhood anorexia may also be related to verbal abuse and aggression against the child, or to other situations in which the child begins to have an early concern for the body.
However, there are other causes of loss of appetite that are more common and may be associated with problems, such as:
Another major cause of loss of appetite is the presence of bad family eating habits, when there is no good time to eat or when the child has become accustomed to eating only sweets. In this case, it is not anorexia per se, but a selective feeding syndrome, a situation in which the child only eats certain foods, having aversion to others. Learn more about selective eating disorder.
In addition, between 12 and 24 months it is normal for the child to start eating much less than before, a normal condition called physiological anorexia during the second year of life. And to prevent this situation from getting any longer, parents need to let the child eat as much food as they want, whenever they want.
To treat childhood anorexia, it is important that the child is accompanied by a psychotherapist, a pediatrician and a nutritionist, since it is necessary to identify the cause of anorexia in addition to promoting changes in the eating habits of the child. In addition, because this is a slow and stressful process for the child, it is essential that the child has the support and support of the family.
Medications, such as antidepressants, may be necessary when the child suffers from severe depression or anxiety and is advised by the child psychiatrist. Hospitalization may be necessary when lack of food results in impaired physical health, such as anemia or walking difficulties, for example.
Treatment should be done as soon as possible, as soon as the disease is identified, as although it is transient in most cases, anorexia can worsen and cause other more serious psychological disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and severe depression.
It is oriented to give the child a healthy and balanced diet, however it is important to let the child eat all the food he wants, being a way to make it more comfortable with food. Thus, the child may be aware that eating is a pleasure and not an obligation, improving the state of anorexia.
Children should not be forced to eat, nor should they be offered tasty but non-nutritious foods, such as ice cream, chips, biscuits or chocolate, after the child rejects a plate of food.
Here are some strategies to increase your appetite and make your child eat: