Selective Eating Disorder
SED also called fussy or picky eating is a type of eating disorder that is characterized by a limited range of food intake with unwillingness to try new foods commonly in toddlers and can continue until adolescence. Social avoidance and anxiety can result from this condition.
Causes Of Eating Disorders
- The disorder may stem from the taste, texture, smell, and sight of the excluded foods.
- It can also come from an unpleasant incident with foods that made children ‘œafraid’ or hesitant to eat them or thinking about dirt contamination of the food.
- SED is linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- A sensitive taste can also be the cause.
Selective Eating Disorder Symptoms
The manifestations of SED include:
- Resistance in eating some types of foods such as fruits and vegetables.
- Commonly the child with SED is within normal weight and height.
- There may also be no abnormalities in physical examination.
- The child may also eat in regular periods yet there may be difficulties.
Treatment For Selective Eating Disorder
- Involve the child in meal planning.
- Set an eating time schedule and be firm.
- Give positive reinforcement. Praise your child whenever he eats well.
- Let him decide on how he should eat his meal.
- Be a good role model.
- Provide various types of food so he can get familiarized.
- Make every mealtime enjoyable.
- Limit snacks. You can give your child a nutritious snack three to four hours before mealtime.
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