Loss Of Appetite In Children: 9 Causes And 7 Prevention Tips

Image: Midjourney/ MomJunction Design Team

A loss of appetite in children might cause worry in most parents. However, it is quite common in children between two and five years old. Nevertheless, in some rare cases, a loss of appetite may signal underlying health issues or growth phases. It’s important to consult a doctor if you notice your child losing their appetite too often. Understanding the typical and atypical causes of appetite loss can ease your worries and give you better insights into your child’s eating habits.

Read on as we tell you the possible reasons your child may be losing their appetite and give you tips on preventing it. We also give you tips on helping your children build their appetite again.

When Should You Worry?

If your child has normal weight and height (for their age), then there might not be a reason to worry, as some children with a small build might have lesser food requirements and, therefore, a lesser appetite(1). However, if your older child experiences sudden loss of appetite for more than a week and starts losing weight, you may consult a pediatrician to identify the cause and correct it.

Possible Reasons For Loss Of Appetite In Children

If your child is always tired and irritable, it might be linked to a lack of appetite and adequate nutrition. Here are a few possible reasons why children might lose their appetite:

1. Slow growth rate

Changes in growth and development can cause an appetite slump in children. During the first year, children grow rapidly. But after that, the growth slows down, and they may eat less food. During this period, a decline in appetite is perfectly normal. In fact, in the second year of life, children only need to put on 2.3kg and 12 cm as opposed to 7 kg and 21 cm in the first year (1).

2. Sickness

Children may experience a significant loss of appetite due to allergies, chronic illnesses, or infections. Hence, weight loss in kids during these times is generally normal. If your child has symptoms such as a sore throat, stomach flu, diarrhea, headache, or fever, they might eat less than usual (2). Fortunately, most children will regain their appetite as they recover. Once they begin eating the usual amounts of food, it is highly likely that they will also regain their lost weight.

3. Stress

Stress can have many negative effects, including loss of appetite, on young children (3)

. If you find that your child is losing interest in eating or having a hard time sleeping, then they may be suffering from stress. To address your child’s poor appetite, you need to identify the cause of stress and alleviate it. Some common causes of stress during childhood are:

• Family issues such as the death of a family member, loss of a pet, birth of a sibling, or changes in family dynamics
• Bullying
• Inability to cope with academic pressure and the impractical expectations of parents

4. Depression

Depression could be another reason for a child’s loss of appetite. Most parents mistake depression for sadness. But sadness and depression are not the same. Feelings of sadness go away with time, but depression does not. Depression not only makes the child sad but also interferes with their normal life.

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), depression is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health issues in children. From 2016 to 2019, the prevalence of diagnosed depression among US children between 3 and 17 years was 4.4%.

If your child shows a significant lack of interest in activities that they previously enjoyed, then they may be depressed. A change in eating habits could be a strong indicator of depression. It is advisable to seek medical advice if you are concerned about your child’s mental health (4).

5. Anorexia nervosa

Sometimes, in a bid to emulate/ copy their screen idols and for several other reasons, children develop a psychological aversion to eating. They reduce their dietary intake or avoid eating for as long as possible. Even when they eat, they develop food preferences or become picky eaters, choose low-fat foods, and later feel guilty about eating them. Genetics, brain chemical imbalances, and developmental issues can also cause anorexiaⁱAn eating disorder and mental health condition characterized by abnormally low weight and fear of weight gain nervosa.

If your child is avoiding food or exercising more than they should, while losing weight drastically, they may be suffering from anorexia nervosa. An eating disorder specialist can tell you how to help your anorexic child regain a healthy appetite (5).

6. Medications

If the child has been on a recent course of antibiotics, their appetite may be affected due to the potential medication side effects. Several other medications could also affect appetite (6).

7. Anemia

Anemia is another possible cause of a decline in a child’s appetite (3). Children with anemia seem lethargic, tired, and irritable. If left untreated, anemia can interfere with your child’s development and school performance (7). Get a blood test done if you suspect anemia in your child.

8. Intestinal worms

Intestinal worms in children can cause loss of appetite. Worms enter into a child’s digestive system and live there as parasites, causing intestinal bleeding, loss of appetite, dysenteryⁱAn intestinal infection that results in bloody or mucousy diarrhea , etc. DewormingⁱGetting rid of the parasitic worms from the body using an anthelmintic drug. medicine can be obtained through your pharmacist or doctor. If you have pets, deworm them twice a year and deworm your children after the age of two at least once a year or as advised by your pediatrician (8).

9. Constipation

Irregular bowel movements in children can lead to constipation. A loss of appetite in children could cause constipation. A sign of constipation is hard stools (9).

In addition to the above causes, the loss of appetite in children could be due to other reasons, such as authoritative parenting, how much food the mother offers, family meals, socioeconomic status, and fear of trying new foods. (10).

How To Improve Your Child’s Appetite

Here are some natural ways to increase your child’s appetite. We have also listed a few supplements that you can use.

• Children like to snack. But these snacks should be as good as meals. Make smart and nutrient-rich food choices. For instance, give the child roasted peanuts instead of crisps, sandwiches, baked veggies, fruit, and nut bars instead of cookies.

• Do not allow them to snack when it is time for meals; maintain a consistent time gap between both.

• Peanuts might help in appetite-boosting and protein-building, hence consider adding more peanut-based foods to your child’s diet.

• If your child refuses to drink milk, add calcium to their diet in the form of cottage cheese, yogurt, cream, and curd. You could also use non-dairy milk if they prefer that.

• If your child has a reduced appetite, offer smaller bites of food until they start eating properly on their own. Smaller quantities might help in increasing metabolism and in turn, increase the appetite.

• Make an inventory of the nutritious foods your child likes to eat and tailor the meals to suit their tastes. When your child sees their favorite food on the plate, they are more likely to eat.

• Choose healthy, calorie-dense foods to increase weight.

• Some herbs and seasonings such as ginger, cayenneⁱModerately hot chili pepper , and ginger might work as appetite stimulants. You may sauté herbs and spices in olive oil before mixing them to a meal for added flavor.

• It is believed that lemon juice, ginger, and vinegar might stimulate gastric secretions and one’s appetite (11).

• Mix greens and several other veggies to bring about a variety of colors into your child’s meal.

• Make them a smoothie with strawberries, honey, bananas, ice, and Greek yogurt to make food interesting.

• Try to introduce new foods and flavors slowly so that your child would be accustomed to their tastes.

If your child’s appetite is not back to normal, even after trying these measures, then it is best to take them to a pediatrician as there could be an underlying medical condition. Also, never punish or scold your child for not eating enough. Instead, observe their eating patterns and try to find out the cause for the decreased appetite.

Also, sometimes the child might be eating right for their age and exceeding parental expectations might cause worry in parents. So, evaluate your doubts with your child’s doctor.

With a few simple tips, you might be able to prevent the loss of appetite in children (only when there is no underlying medical condition).

Tips To Prevent Loss Of Appetite In Children

Here are some tips that might help in preventing a loss of appetite and nutritional deficiencies in children:

1. Make the meals look interesting and a visual treat for your children.

2. Do not argue with or scold the children during mealtime.

3. Adjust the meal schedules so that you serve food only when your child is hungry.

4. Encourage your child to make healthy food choices.

5. Involve your child in meal planning and preparation.

6. Serve small portions at regular intervals.

7. Encourage your child to be physically active.

8. Do not force your child to eat if she is not hungry. Also, demanding that she finishes the food on her plate is a bad idea.

Illustration: Loss Of Appetite In Children: 9 Causes And 7 Prevention Tips

Learn how to recognize and manage a child’s loss of appetite. Understand how to nurture healthy eating habits in children and encourage them to consume nutritious meals.

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