Sometimes children gorge (overeat), beg for food or refuse to eat. These can be signs of a medical problem or family conflict. If there is no medical problem, here are some suggestions for your child to get back to a healthy eating pattern.
Ages
All Ages
Age Groups
Toddlerhood (1-3), Preschool/Kindergarten (3-5), School Age (6-12)
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).
