Why are young children obssessed with food these days? This seems to be an odd question doesn’t it? “My child never eats” or “what should I do to ensure that my child is well nourished because she is a poor eater?” are the questions that nutritionists normally have to answer. However, recently my cousin with a 5 year old daughter seemed to be worried that her child is obssessed with food and seems to want to eat all the time. I told her that it’s a good thing because finally those cheeks were getting chubby. “I don’t want her getting fat” is what she said.

Children’s Obssession with food may not be a problem unless the child is fat and becoming obese. Growing children need the food and those with high metabolic rates may need a snack at regular intervals. If a child is active and not eating because it is bored or while watching TV and playing video games, it should not be much of a concern.

You could start worrying if your child is turning to food to deal with boredom or with other problems. 

Health conscious parents worry too much: About their children binging on Junk food and stress on what the child should eat and not eat and also decide the portion size, limiting the child from eating when it is hungry.  While it is a good thing that the parent is being responsible and providing a structured and disciplined environment by serving healthy meals at regular times, these decisions are not understood by young children and they become obsessed with food, wanting to eat what is not allowed or provided at home.

Some children seem to want to eat all the time: They want a snack soon after a meal or want to eat something at regular intervals. This may not be a problem and can not be labeled as an obsession with food. It is not a good idea to stop a child from eating or restrict the child from eating a particular food, if not in excess. Providing treats like cakes, chocolates and ice-creams once a week and explaining why you are limiting the amount is important, so that the child is aware of the reason.

If the child is hungry very often, provide healthy but tasty options and allow the child to eat till it is satisfied during meal times. Children need a well balanced diet and hence do not entirely cut down on carbs and fats. Providing smaller meals and snacks at smaller intervals will prevent cravings for unhealthy and calorie rich food. “Snacking” is not a bad thing. Provide the right kind of snacks and encourage your child to try new foods and healthier options.

Children’s obsession with food often goes unnoticed: when working parent’s are not around to monitor the child’s eating habits and address the obssession at an early age. Children obssessed with food usually eat at the hide, when their parents are not around. They eat a lot at school, at their friend’s house or when no body is noticing. Usually they go for those foods which are not allowed, like sweets, chocolates and fried snacks and other junk and packaged foods or they may take more helpings even though they are really full.

While most children know how much to eat and tell when they are full, some cannot tell and eat as much as you serve. Teach your child to stop when the stomach is full, instead of deciding when he or she must stop.

Your child’s health is important but do not become obsessed with it because it often back fires and leads to children obssessed with food.

Image Courtesy - www.megahowto.com , health.kaboose.com