Weight & Eating Problems
Failure to thrive refers to a child's inability to gain weight and grow as expected for kids of the same age and gender. Most diagnoses are made in the first few years of life.
Kids who eat unusually large amounts of food - and feel guilty or secretive about it - could be struggling with binge eating disorder.
Doctors use body mass index (BMI) measurements to assess a child's physical growth in relation to other kids the same age. Here's how to calculate BMI and understand what the numbers mean.
Eating disorders are common among teens and kids, especially young women. Read about the warning signs, prevention strategies, and ways to help a child with an eating disorder.
A healthy and positive body image means liking your body, appreciating it, and feeling grateful for its qualities and capabilities. Parents can help kids develop a healthy body image.
Most kids grow well but some have ”failure to thrive.” This means they don't gain weight as expected and may not grow as tall as they should.
Many kids have lactose intolerance - trouble digesting lactose, the main sugar in milk and milk products - which can cause cramps, diarrhea, and gas.
Preventing kids from becoming overweight means making choices in the way your family eats and exercises, and how you spend time together.
Some young kids have the eating disorder pica, which is characterized by cravings to eat nonfood items.
When diet and exercise aren't enough to help shed stubborn pounds, weight loss surgery may be an option for teens who are very overweight.
