Eating problems in younger children can take many forms, including irregular eating patterns, consistent overeating and consistent under-eating. Some children might start eating a mostly junk food diet, eating only one particular food or avoiding certain foods.

BEIJING, Mar. 10 (Xinhuanet)-- When you think of eating disorders, you probably think of teenagers and young adults, but many eating problems begin earlier in childhood.

    Today, even some elementary school children feel dissatisfied with their bodies and develop what are called dysfunctional eating habits that can turn into full-blown eating disorders as they grow up.

    Eating problems in younger children can take many forms, including irregular eating patterns, consistent overeating and consistent under-eating. Some children might start eating a mostly junk food diet, eating only one particular food or avoiding certain foods.

    Certain kids may develop eating problems because they are anxious or depressed or because they have developed a phobia about food or eating. In these cases, the eating problem may resolve if the underlying issue is identified and treated by a mental health professional.

    In other cases, media images of skinny women and lean, muscular men, as well as comments from parents and peers, can focus both girls and boys on their body shape in an unhealthy way.

    While it might be obvious that your child has a problem if he or she only wants to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, parents may need to look for clues that their child does not have a healthy approach to eating.

    Some kids with eating problems won't be losing weight, however, because they are eating, but they are not eating healthy foods at regular intervals. It's critical to recognize eating problems in children because an unhealthy diet in these formative years can lead.

    If parents suspect their child has an eating problem, they should take them to a health professional, such as primary care doctor, a mental health professional or a dietitian.

    But parents themselves can also play a major role in helping reshape their child's attitude toward food and their eating habits. Because children mimic their parents' eating habits, parents on a low-carb diet, for example, have to be sure they are not teaching their children that breads and grains are "bad" foods.

    Parents have the power to exert a positive influence by modeling eating healthy habits, because the whole family has to get healthy, so the changes have to apply to everyone.

(Source: Shenzhen Daily)