Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

I don't know if eating disorder it the right word, but I think my DD has an unhealthy obsession with food and I have no idea why.

We never force fed or withheld food from her, but she is ALWAYS begging for food - all day long. If she hears you open a cabinet or the refridgerator she comes running in crying for food. Meal times are stressful because she whines and whines and begs for food while it's cooking. When she's done she just asks for more (fruit, cookies, crackers, pretzels, whatever!!!)

This drives me crazy. I already had the ped tell me she's borderline overweight. I don't give her any junk food, but she does eat puffs, pretzels, fruit, etc all day long.

Lately I just keep saying no more...or no. I feel bad, but I can't take it.
Should I be worried???

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

I don't know, maybe some type of oral fixation?

I'm sorry, I am not much help, but I can tell that it is stressing you out

But I've said it before and I'll say it again, I do NOT agree with your ped's assesment and it actually disturbs me b/c that is how I think eating disorders happen later in life (I hope that didn't sound harsh!)

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

I wouldn't be worried, I would just cut out the all day long snacking. Once she realizes she can't have it all day, she won't whine for it.

Kate didn't your ped. tell you that he though C3 was overweight also?

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

Posted by KateDevine

Posted by Summerrluvv

I wouldn't be worried, I would just cut out the all day long snacking. Once she realizes she can't have it all day, she won't whine for it.

Kate didn't your ped. tell you that he though C3 was overweight also?

Err, no. Underweight when he was 5 months old

And he lost weight between 16 and 19 months. He is only 24lbs now

Sorry for the hijack Jodi!

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

My dd is big...but the irony is that she doesn't eat anything! She is really picky and lots of time eats baby food. I give it to her for nutrition. The PED was concerned at the last appt about her weight.

She gets no junk food or sugar at all! She does get natural sugar from fruit but that is it!

I also cook and buy all organic foods! I think I am just going to have a chubby kid!

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

Maybe she is eating out of boredom...the next time she comes running to you for food you could say "No not now, how about we color this picture, blow bubbles, play with your dolls instead".

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

My DD is the exact same age but she is not a good eater at all. However, in the past 2 weeks or so all she does all day is tell me she wants to eat something - this is an all day thing!! And she is tiny - 10-15th percentile! I am wondering if its boredom or if it is a phase of toddlerhood much like saying no is.

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

I say no. One of my good friends who is a child psychologist says that children do not have emotional issues with eating. I say she just enjoys eating! Who doesn't!

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

I wouldn't be worried. Sounds just like a habit she has created. I saw a great thing on Super nanny for family that had obsessive snackers:

Get a cute container, maybe with her name on it and in the morning she can pick 5 snacks to put in the container (apple, banana. bag of pretzels, goldfish, etc). Those are her snacks for the day. She can see what her choices are for the day and when they are gone, they are gone. Explain to her that she should remember that these are all of the snacks she can have in between meals so she'll need to save some for the whole day.

Good luck!

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

Jodi - how much does she weigh? Ava is on the bigger side for toddlers for height and weight and she was 30 lbs at her 2 yr appt and he said she'll be tall and appropriately thin. I haven't seen Hannah in person but they look comparable in size. I don't like that your ped said that!

She might just ask out of habit and wanting to do what everyone else is doing. I wouldn't deny her food, I would just keep offering healthy foods/snacks if anything.

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

she's 34 inches and just under 32 lbs.

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

DS is 34 inches and 33 pounds and our ped NEVER mentioned anything about him being overweight. Your DD does not look overweight. As far as your concern with her always wanting to eat, I agree with Moehick, try that approach and see how she does

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

Sounds just like you described my DS. He's been like that since about 2, and he's 4.5 and a skinny rail!

I do think he likes to eat out of boredom (like his mommy). He always needs a snack, and I don't think he's always hungry. I do often give him water and tell him to do something else...

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

My DD is the same. It was so bad that I didn't even want to go to playgroups with her because all she would do is harass adults/kids for their food. Everyone told me that she would eat less after she was a year old, etc.....not so much.....she eats more if it's possible.

Even now....the highlight of her day is food. She carries a snack trap around sometimes between meals....she never used a binky or was attached to anything....food seems to be her comfort.

She is the same as your DC....I can't tell you how many times I've almost closed her inside our refrigerator because before I can blink she is right there, pulling food off the shelves...she is borderline-obsessed. Our Ped doesn't seem concerned b/c DD is not overweight, but I sometimes wonder if this is just the beginning of something more serious.

I don't have any tips...just wanted to let you know that I am going through the same thing!

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

Cailen goes thru phases of this when he hits a growth spurt. He weighs the same as Hannah. Maybe she needs more denser and filling foods. A lot of snack foods aren't filling. Eating disorders come from how parents handle a childs relationship with food. The less of a deal you make of it, the better the situation will be. It is not a disorder in the toddler years. Its a fascination. As long as she is active, she will grow out of it. It could be boredom. I like the idea of suggestion of offering another activity. Cailen asks for milk all the time when he's bored. Despite his size, he's not that interested in food.....

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

I do not believe that toddlers can have eating disorders, but I do believe strongly that the things we teach our kids about food when they are little can ultimately lead to either a healthy or an unhealthy relationship with food.

That being said, my ped has told us that he does not believe in withholding food from a child. He does believe that all options that are provided should be wholesome and filling- fruits, veggies, etc.

Maybe try some more filling options? Pretzels aren't very filling, but maybe oven baked sweet potato fries would be....and then maybe she wouldn't be looking for food so quickly?

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

wonder if it could also be a minor metabolic issue? (something in her body fails to tell her that her tummy is full?) does she ever stop after a big meal? Or does she keep going until she gets sick?

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

At my dd's 18 month appointment she was 34 inches and 31 pounds. My doc did switch her to 2% milk but didnt make a bigger deal then that. I will say that she too says "can i have a piece" anytime that anyone even opens a cabinet or fridge. I am trying not to worry too much at this young age about her weight.

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

I wanted to add that everytime Cailen wants a snack, he is seated At the high chair. Not just to reduce mess but to make his eating more mindful. I don't want him just snacking everywhere. This cut down on extra requests for food because he would rather play than stop everything to eat. Maybe instead of giving her snacks while playing you make it less convenient by having her sit?

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

Message edited 1/10/2009 8:19:34 PM.

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

For certain foods that Cailen is nuts about, I hold onto the empty container to let him know there's no more. Maybe hide the pretzels, put a few in an old empty bag. Like 5 pretzels. Let her see you open the bag, give her the pretzels and show her its empty, and when she asks later, show her again. Even If she's mad, there's nothing you can do If you ran out.... It may help If she gets used to the fact that there's no endless supply. Since I'm horrible with remembering to shop and restock Cailens favorites, he is quite used to hearing "uh oh, no more! Mommy will go to the store tomorrow!"

Re: Can a toddler have an "eating disorder?"

DS2 who is three years old just started this last week. Immediately after finishing a meal he rubs his belly and says, "I'm hungry" and makes his way over to the pantry. Being overweight myself, I am very conscious of not allowing him to get in bad food habits. I try to redirect him and then if he asks again in a reasonable time, I will offer him a healthy snack like an apple. With him, I think it has become more of a habit than anything.