Definition of Inadequate Nutrition Intake Problem, School Age
Resource Type
Parent Handouts and Info - Parent
Description
Children with Inadequate Nutrition Intake Problem do not eat enough. It may be because the child wants to be independent or because she wants to be on a diet. Children with this problem may not be growing enough. This problem is not as serious as an eating disorder.
You said that you were concerned that your child does not eat enough. If your child
is fairly young, s/he may be trying to be more independent. Some children try to act independent
by not eating certain foods. If your child is a bit older, s/he may not be eating enough because
s/he thinks that s/he needs to go on a diet.
Your child is not eating very much and because of this s/he is not growing as fast as s/he should.
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
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.
