My daughter won't eat!

My daughter won't eat!

My 11 year old daughter is not really a fussy eater.  The problem is she has such a small appetite, she is a very slow eater and usually halfway through the meal she is "full up" and is unable to finish.  Its getting worse, yesterday she ate a small amount of cereal for breakfast, for lunch ate the cucumber from a sandwich and in the evening just refused to eat anything at all as she just was not hungry.  This has become a pattern over the last couple of weeks.  She has assured me there is nothing wrong ie school, bullying etc and I try to get her to help deciding what to eat at mealtimes.  I have reduced her portion slightly so that if she does clear the plate I can praise her.  I am just so worried that this could become more serious and lead to eating disorders.  I just need to know how to encourage her to eat without making such a big deal about it!

Re: My daughter won't eat! In reply to: TraceyAB

hi.have you tried getting her to help prepare the dinner?it might encourage your daughter to enjoy tasting the dinners she helped prepare.

Re: My daughter won't eat!

How's her weight doing against her height? If it's still in the accepted range then try not to worry. Keep an eye on the weight, though and if she does seem to be losing weight or not putting it on enough, then take her to see the doctor.

In the meantime not making a big deal out of it is probably the best answer. Kids go through phases and hopefull this is just one of them. good luck

Re: My daughter won't eat!

hey hun.  Your little girl really isnt eating much is she? is she feeling ok? perhaps she has a really small stomach? sounds stupid but cud happen? or maybe she wont eat cos her friends are doing it, i know she says there is nothing wrong but you never know with kids.  Im not trying to worry you hun just give you some options to explore. just keep an eye on her. x

Re: My daughter won't eat!

I am able to reply to this thread from 'the other side' of the coin.  

Please dont make a big thing about weight to her but to your eye does she look underweight at the moment?
Its very possible that there is an underlying medical reason for her not wanting, or not feeling like she needs to eat any more -- she may be too afraid or even embarassed to mention this.   Is there any way of convincing her to accompany you to her GP- just in case?  

Be careful how you word it (because i can say from past /present experience that making a deal out of weight/food issues can be incredibly damamging) but perhaps gentley express your concern to her that shes reaching an age now where she needs a little more 'fuel' in order for her to develop and mature along with her friends..  If thats all she is consuming daily then she must be feeling pretty rotten already -- is it possible that she's eating whilst out with friends?
Does she seem anxious or fidgety during mealtimes - do you think she may be more comfortable taking her food to a different part of the room/house to eat for the time being?

 Sorry for all of the questions but having endured over 16 years of eating disorders i want to try and help as many people as possible to avoid unhealthy relationships with food.  

All the best x