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What to do if you are concerned that your child is not eating enough
- Make a relationship with your child unrelated to eating
- Take time to engage in activities that you both enjoy together
- Watch a film, listen to music together
- Be curious about your child’s interests and tastes
- Make family meals a priority
- Sit down together
- Make them fun/enjoyable
- Use the opportunity to discuss things as a family
- Take turns to cook for each other
- Find out if there is anything worrying your child
- Concerns at school or work?
- Concerns with friends?
- Concerns in the family?
- If appropriate, keep an eye on what your child is eating at home and at school
- Check if food is left on the plate or put in the bin
- Notice if your child is starting to avoid certain foods, particularly foods high in calories
- Notice if your child is cutting down portion sizes
- Be aware of any physical problems [LINK to when to get medical help]
- If your child appears to be losing weight suggest they might go to the GP for a check-up
- Help book the appointment and go with them if at all possible
- Look out for early signs of an eating disorder
- Becoming secretive about eating
- Starting to wear baggy clothes
- Feeling the cold
- Expressing concerns about their body weight or shape
- Taking a long time in the bathroom after meals
- Taking more interest than usual in cooking or cookery books
- Exercising more than usual, particularly exercise on their own
- Read relevant books/websites [Link to section on books etc].
- B-eat has some useful information and helplines
- b-eat.co.uk