Eating disorders in children ages 2-8 years old

Eating disorders range from age-related fluctuations in appetite to serious problems, even life-threatening illnesses such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating. Parents of children aged 2-8 are often concerned that their child is not eating enough or is eating too much, is eating the wrong foods, is refusing certain foods, or is behaving inappropriately while eating (feeding food to pets, throwing or intentionally dropping food).

The examination includes finding out the frequency of occurrence of such problems, their duration and severity. The child's weight and height are measured. It is especially necessary to carefully examine children for serious eating disorders if they constantly express dissatisfaction with their appearance or weight, if their weight decreases or begins to increase significantly faster than before. At the same time, most eating problems do not last long enough to affect the child's growth and development. If the child looks well and grows within acceptable limits, parents should be reassured and advised to minimize conflicts and coercion regarding food. Long-term and excessive parental concern may participate in the subsequent development of eating disorders. Attempts to force the child to eat rarely increase food intake; the child may keep food in the mouth, or vomit. Parents should offer food to the child sitting at the table, without distractions such as television, pets, and should not express any emotions by placing food in front of the child. The food should be removed after 20-30 minutes without comments on what has been eaten and what has not. The child should participate in cleaning up any food that is dropped or intentionally dropped on the floor. These methods, along with limiting between-meal snacks to one in the morning and one in the afternoon, usually restore the relationship between appetite, food intake, and the child's nutritional needs.

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