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No dry diet!
The child does well enough to impose a strict diet on his parents at mealtime to avoid weight gain. And all excuses are good!
Also at their age, “normal” diets can affect children who really need them. There is also the case of so-called “food neophobic” children. They are afraid of certain foods which they prefer to eliminate (often solids). They prefer dairy products, soups, certain cookies, bread or pancakes, until around their 10 years of age.
But beware of insidious and very restrictive diets which can be a first stepping stone towards the so-called anorexic syndrome.
The child said to be anorexic will always want to lose even more pounds, and sees his social life reduced, unlike a young person on a diet, who stops at the target weight and maintains his relationships. Self-esteem generally improves in the little girl who follows a classic diet, she feels prettier. The anorexic girl finds herself even uglier …
A predisposition?
Some children are more likely to be affected by anorexic syndrome. They have predispositions or bathe in an environment which only accentuates their troubles.
Very athletic young people, such as competition enthusiasts, dancers or models, may experience pressure on their figure. Some anxious toddlers, afraid of the new or the unknown can also develop a restrictive eating disorder. Especially those whose parents can not reassure them being themselves “phobic” …