Eating Disorders in Children

Now-a-days, it has become common with children with age equal to or under 12-14 that they suffer from eating disorders. Eating disorders can be viewed at in various ways. For some, not eating enough would be a disorder, while in some cases, over eating.

Most of the times, it’s the families’ fault when children suffer form eating disorders. There may be reasons related to the family-like various family issues, quarrels, economic problems, and so on-which cause the child to lose appetite. Other than that, there may be reasons like stress regarding studies, assignments, and examinations causing children to give up on eating. Also, some children are eat, but not what they are supposed to. More than foods that provide nutrition, children, now-a-days, are more interested in fast foods and junk foods that just win their taste buds and cannot be relied upon in nutritional values. In such cases, parents must look after their children so as to take care about their diet, their nutritional intake and so on. If the child is utterly reluctant to eating nutritional food – or in some cases, food, at all – then they may consult their respective doctors to suggest some alternative methods to cover up the child’s nutritional loss.

One more aspect of eating disorder in children highlights cases where some children overeat. These children are characterized by obesity at a very young age, which is, obviously, not at all a sign of good health. These children, along with eating non-nutritional foods, consume more quantity of food compared to normal diet of other children of their age. This could be because of intestinal bacteria or stomach worms. These bacteria cause quick digestion after consumption of food, which results in them being hungry again, after very short durations.

To avoid, or at least control, such eating disorders of children, parents must get them regularly checked up and follow the doctors’ advice and prescriptions. Moreover, it is necessary to make a note about the society that emphasizes a lot upon the importance of being thin. Children nearing teenage, and who fear overweighing, should understand that eating doesn’t cause obesity. The right knowledge about eating and nutritional values of various foods can cause a lot of awareness among children and save the upcoming generation from eating disorders.