As a doctor, I come across the problem of poor appetite in children. Sometimes the child who was a good eater suddenly loses his appetite. Sometimes, child is fussy since beginning. Usually the mother is very much anxious about the child’s health. If the child is having lean thin built then it becomes an added stress as neighbours, relatives keep on commenting, this is serious and how the mother is not paying attention to it.... We will consider, what are the reasons for poor appetite in children? The poor appetite of their kids is a common complaint among mothers. In most of the cases, kids make up for their poor diet by eating more at the next meal. For kids over 1 year old, appetites increase and decrease according to age, energy levels etc. This is a common problem among young children between the ages of 2 to 6 years. However, if weight loss accompanies your toddler’s loss of appetite, then you must consult a doctor to identify the cause & correct it

Causes of Loss of Appetite in Children:

1. Slow Growth Rate:

      During the first year, children grow rapidly. But after the first birthday the growth of the child slows down, and she may eat less food now. During this time, a decline in appetite is perfectly normal.

2. Sickness:

      Illness can often cause a significant loss of appetite in children. If your child is suffering from sore throat, stomach flu, diarrhoea, headache, fever or other symptoms, then she may eat lesser than what she normally eats. Thankfully, most of the children recover their appetite when they get better.

3. Stress:

      Stress can have many negative effects on toddlers and young children, including loss of appetite. If you find your child is losing interest in eating or having a hard time sleeping, then she may be suffering from stress. To cure the poor appetite of your kid, you need to identify the cause of her stress and alleviate it. Some common causes of stress during childhood are: · Family issues like a death in the family, death of a pet or the birth of a sibling. · Bullying · Inability to cope with academic pressure and the impractical expectations of parents

4. Depression:

     Depression can be another reason for child’s loss of appetite. Most of the parents mistake depression for sadness. But sadness and depression are not the same. It is important for you to understand the difference between sadness and depression so that your child can get the help she needs. Feelings of sadness go away with the passage of time, but depression does not. Depression not only makes the child sad, but also interferes with her normal life. If your child shows a lack of interest in activities that she previously enjoyed performing, then chances are that she may be suffering from depression.

5. Anorexia Nervosa:

      Sometimes, in a bid to ape their screen idols children develop a psychological aversion to eating. They try to go without eating as long as possible. Even when they eat, they choose a low-fat food and later feel guilty about eating it. If you can relate your child to this food fad, she may be suffering from Anorexia Nervosa.

6. Medications:

Several medications can take a toll on your child’s appetite. A loss of appetite in a child is a common side effect of antibiotics.

7. Anemia:

      Anemia is another possible cause of the decline in appetite among children. A low iron count is common in kids who don’t consume an iron-rich diet. Children suffering from Anemia seem weaker, tired and irritable than others. If left untreated, Anemia can interfere with your child’s development and school performance.

8. Intestinal Worms:

      Intestinal worms can cause loss of appetite in kids.

9. Constipation:

      Irregular bowel movements in children can lead to constipation. A loss of appetite in toddlers is a classic symptom of constipation.

Tips To Prevent A Loss Of Appetite In Children:

      Here are some handy tips to prevent a loss of appetite in children: Offer food that is also a visual treat for your kids. You can present healthy foods in a delicious avatar. · Do not argue or scold the children during the mealtime. · Adjust the meal schedules so that you serve food only when your child is hungry. · Encourage your child to make healthy food choices. · Allow your child to snack between the meals. · Serve small portions at regular intervals. · Encourage your child to be more physically active. · Do not force your child to eat if she is not hungry. As a parent, demanding that she finishes the food on her plate is a bad idea. Remember, it is common for children to lose their appetite, so don’t be alarmed every time it happens. If your child is healthy, happy and can sleep well, then there is no need to worry. But a prolonged loss of appetite needs medical attention. So keep an eye on your child’s eating habits.

      You’re more likely to get gout if you: · are a middle-aged man or postmenopausal woman · have parents, siblings, or other family members with gout · Eat too much purine-rich food, such as red meats, organ meats, and certain fish. The build-up of uric acid in your blood from the breakdown of purines causes gout. · Certain conditions, such as blood and metabolism disorders or dehydration, make your body produce too much uric acid. · A kidney or thyroid problem, or an inherited disorder, can make it harder for your body to remove excess uric acid. · Drink alcohol · Take medications such as diuretics and cyclosporine.

Homeopathy for poor Appetite in children-

      Homeopathy have excellent medicines to improve appetite and digestion, assimilation. It is seen that the sick child does not lose her appetite when on homoeopathic treatment.