Gorging, begging and food refusal

Sometimes children gorge (overeat), beg for food or refuse to eat. These can be signs of a medical problem or family conflict. Check with your doctor to rule out a medical problem. If there is no medical problem, here are some suggestions for your child to get back to a healthy eating pattern.

• Place nutritious foods on a tray accessible to your child at all times.
• Try apple slices, celery sticks, pretzels, meatballs, dried apricots, peanut butter toast, yogurt etc.
• Don't make any comments about what your child eats or when they eat.
• Invite your child to the table for meals but don't make them eat or stay for more than 10 minutes.
• Don't let food leave the kitchen or eating area.
• After 7 days of adults refraining from comments, your child should begin to eat at the table on their own.

Adapted from Jellinek MS. Bright Futures in Practice, Mental Health (2002).