What are the common feeding problems in preschool children?
Author : http://nnc.da.gov.ph/nutmonth/2005/nm05-12.html
A preschool child is sometimes a difficult child. His/her appetite is erratic and behavior sometimes capricious. The child’s loss of interest in food can sometimes become the source of irritation between the mother and the child. In most instances, parents treat young children as little adults and imposing their own adult-style dietary restrictions on them. But, this will be counterproductive and feeding problems and interference with the child’s physical and psychosocial development can result, thus, negatively affecting his or her nutritional status. Food Jags
At preschool age, children accept only very few foods and reject all others. It is likely that the child’s appetite is lost because of too much parental urging or the child has become tired of the same foods eaten everyday.
There is no real problem if the accepted foods represent a nutritionally adequate diet and do not contain excess additives or salt. If not, parents are advised to do the following:
* Offer a variety of foods but start the meals with the foods the child likes best.
* Serve small portion sizes with options for seconds. Praise the child for eating even a little.
* Present foods attractively; observe some sense of order, i.e. no mixed dishes.
* Remember that a child is very keen on the taste, flavor, texture, and temperature of food. Introduce one new food at a time.
Dawdling
A child who dawdles is one who lingers or dilly-dallies with food during mealtime. Oftentimes, the child is given portions that are too large; or the child may not be feeling well or may be trying to get attention. If this happens, parents should avoid fussing over the child. Let the child enjoy eating.
Gagging
A child sometimes feels like vomiting especially when fed coarse foods. The situation can be remedied by feeding the child in a well-ventilated and clean place, eating with other children, encouraging self-feeding and using colorful and easy-to-handle utensils.
Eating too much
Overeating is often a habit learned by a child who is encouraged by his/her parents to overeat because of the mistaken notion that a fat child is a healthy child. This attitude has to be corrected because it may result to obesity leading to physical and emotional problems during childhood and even in adulthood.
Thus, the child must be taught good eating habits and the practice of eating a variety of foods. Among others, the child should be restrained from eating too much energy-rich foods like cakes, pastries, candies, chocolates and ice cream, as well as fatty foods.
Aversion toward some foods
Mothers frequently complain about their children’s dislike for vegetables. In most instances, the unpalatable preparation of vegetables is to be blamed for the aversion. Vegetables must be prepared and served in such a way that they are attractive to children.
For example, the mother may use colorful vegetables such as carrots, baguio beans and squash and cut them in different shapes. Leafy vegetables can be sliced finely so children can chew them easily.
Breakfast skipping
Children who skip breakfast usually make more errors when given tests and have slower memory recall. Brain functioning is sensitive to short-term variations in nutrient availability. Among the reasons cited are lack of time, not hungry in the morning, and dislike for breakfast food.
Here are some ways to make breakfast successful:
* Eat breakfast with your child.
* Some preparation the night before may contribute to a more relaxed morning routine.
* Offer 2 or 3 food choices, if possible.
* Give your child time to wake up and settle down. Rushing puts pressure on breakfast eating.
* Let the child help you prepare breakfast.
http://nnc.da.gov.ph/nutmonth/2005/nm05-12.html
