What is typical eating?

Children and adolescents' temperament, organic conditions, developmental issues, environmental and parental factors determine typical eating habits in early childhood to a large extent. Some people eat three meals per day, others two or five. Children and adolescents love snacks, and they often have them in between meals (and that is okay!). Children and adolescents are growing, and their bodies use up all of the energy that meals provide faster than adults, so snacks are an essential part of their days.

Some children or adolescents are picky eaters—they do not like eating many things and they may be stubbornly unwilling to try. This is also typical, even if it is frustrating, as long as the picky eater eats enough of something.

The most important things to remember about typical eating in children and adolescents are:

• Typical eating involves consuming enough food to provide energy for the day.
• Typical eating should be balanced and involve multiple food groups.

Sometimes when children or adolescents are really hungry, they may eat too much, too fast and end up with an upset stomach. Sometimes when they don’t feel well, such as when they have a cold, they do not feel like eating or drinking anything. Both of these situations are typical.

When should I be concerned about a child’s eating?

When children and adolescents regularly eat too much or too little, there may be cause for concern.

Here are some of the signs of eating problems in children:

• Restrictive eating leading to noticeable weight loss.
• Eating non-food items.
• Regular overeating followed by discomfort and, sometimes, complaints.
• Longer periods than would be expected when nothing gets eaten.
• Apparent aversion to or avoidance of certain foods that may be related to the appearance, smell, texture, taste, and/or temperature of food.

Older children and adolescents usually present the following:

• Restrictive eating or dieting leading to noticeable weight loss.
• Retreating to a bathroom or bedroom immediately after meals.
• Regular overeating followed by discomfort and, sometimes, complaints.
• Longer periods than would be expected without eating anything.
• Vomiting without a clinical or physical cause.
• Finding empty wrappers or hidden food in a bedroom.
• Constipation without a clinical or physical cause.
• Irregular menstruation without a clinical or physical cause.
• Use of medication (e.g., laxatives, diuretics) without medical prescription.
• Excessive exercising generally and/or after overeating.

What can I do to help a child with eating problems?

Caregivers know their children best. If you are a caregiver, there are a few things you may attempt:

If you have already tried some or most of these suggestions and the problems your child is facing persist, it may be time to seek out professional support.

Eating and feeding problems that are too frequent, intense, present in many different contexts, discrepant from those experienced by children the same age, and that negatively interfere with your child and family’s daily lives, may indicate the possibility of an Eating Disorder, such as Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa.

What kind of professional support can I seek out for help?

It is not unusual that some caregivers feel embarrassed, inadequate, or guilty if their child is struggling with eating or feeding problems. But, if you are concerned about your child, support and guidance are available now. Communicate concerns during and between visits with your child's doctor.

Pediatricians or family physicians can help to address initial concerns and refer to specialized professionals. Also, whenever possible, a consultation with a mental health professional may be helpful. These professionals also work with caregivers so that they know how to support their children outside of therapy sessions.

The public system provides services through the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Centers of Multidisciplinary Assessment, Counseling, and Support (KEDASY).

Where to find more information

Specific, detailed, and clinical information on Eating Disorders (i.e., Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa) can be found at [clinical short guide at the program website].

If you want to know more about the closest available services for educational and public health systems for children and adolescent assistance across the country, go to our Services Mapping webpage here.

You can also find more information by pointing your phone camera at the QR code below or by clicking here.