Inadequate Nutrition Intake Problem

You said that you were concerned that your child does not eat enough. Preschoolers may not eat much because they are trying to do things their own way. Some children try to act this way by not eating certain foods. You said your child is not eating very much and because of this s/he is not growing as fast as s/he should. You said that this is causing problems for your child. Your child's doctor will help you deal with this. Children with much bigger eating problems than your child have an eating disorder.

Warning signs that things are getting worse

• You find that you are getting into big arguments with your child because s/he won't eat.
• Your child says s/he is fat when s/he is of average weight or underweight.
• Your child begins to talk about dieting, goes on a diet, or eats a lot less.
• Your child refuses to eat for days at a time.

If you think these things are getting worse, talk to your child's doctor even if you have talked about it before.

American Academy of Pediatrics (1996). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Primary Care. Elk Grove Village, Illinois: Author.