children s health issues
Eating Problems in Young Children
Introduction
Some eating problems are behavioral in nature. Parents of young children often are concerned that their children are picky eaters, not eating enough or eating too much, eating the wrong foods, refusing to eat certain foods (see also Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder ), or engaging in inappropriate mealtime behavior (such as sneaking food to a pet or throwing or intentionally dropping food). Most eating problems do not last long enough to interfere with a child's growth and development. Weight can help parents determine whether their children’s growth rate is of concern. Parents should consult a doctor if their children Repeatedly voice concerns about their appearance or weight Lose weight or stop gaining weight at an age when growth and weight gain are expected Begin to gain weight at a faster rate than usual , such as (See also Overview of Behavioral Problems in Children .) 