Student doesn't eat and I'm the person to fix it!

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Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.

Here's some background on the student in question:

He started back here at school in December in the 2nd grade. Prior to that, he was home schooled by his mother who wanted him at home so she could get a handle on his myriad of conditions: severe anxiety, ADHD, OCD. Once she felt his issues were under control, she re-enrolled him back at school. He is a daily med taker with several allergies so I know him pretty well. Mom is a nice woman, a little overbearing but I can't say I blame her with this child who has so much going on. She's very good about keeping me informed with what's going on with the student.

So, mom comes to me last week and says she is concerned about little darling's eating habits. He is a skinny guy and the stimulant meds certainly don't help with weight gain. She informs me that he has serious "food aversions" and she has a hard time getting caloric and nutrient dense foods into him. He's allergic to peanuts and shellfish and very picky about textures, temperatures, etc. She asked me if, when Darling comes to get his medication every afternoon, I could help educate him on nutrition, the importance of adequate diet, etc. He's very honest about what he ate that day so that afternoon I started asking him about what he packed vs. what he actually ate. I started trying to educate him on the importance of good nutrition. He's got a very scientific mind so I started comparing his body to a machine, explaining that the body needs fuel to run and function, things like that. He also is OBSESSED with stickers so I told him we could keep a card in the office and for every day that he eats his entire lunch, he gets a sticker and we can display his sticker card on the wall. He was totally into the idea but... he has yet to earn a sticker! He has an excuse for not eating his lunch every day. I've sent home some suggestions to mom regarding preparing the food so it's desirable at lunchtime (how to keep bread from getting soggy, yogurts that aren't too runny, keeping cold things cold) but nothing has worked so far.

Mom tells me what this kid will eat and it's horrifying. Cinnamon buns for breakfast every day? I get they are high in calories but that's just scary.

Does anyone have any advice? I can't think of anything else to do but you know, my magic wand is supposed to repair everything.

I've never even heard of a well child having "food aversions" I just always called them picky. Any information would be great!

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What does he eat at home then? I would say you are doing the most you can do but you can only lead a horse to water

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Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.
What does he eat at home then? I would say you are doing the most you can do but you can only lead a horse to water

Or a kid to tuna, as the case may be.

Mom says it's a struggle at home too. I don't know what she expects me to do!

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

I had one like that, then my wife was out of work for two years. The inability to make multiple meals and limited portions changed his pickiness quickly. I blame parents (myself included) for this. A few nights of limited choice and portions will change his appetite. We deal with this with a student here, once again it is parenting, and Heaven help him when he forgets his Froot Loops and PopTart for lunch.

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Or a kid to tuna, as the case may be.

Mom says it's a struggle at home too. I don't know what she expects me to do!

Unfortunately you are doing everything you can do. Its on mom and the student now.

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Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.
A few nights of limited choice and portions will change his appetite

I said the same thing but mom told me he doesn't really ever feel hungry so it's not like only providing him with certain foods will make him desperate enough to eat whatever is available.

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I have a young family member with this. Now that he's a teen, it is better, but as a little guy, he only ate white food. He is diagnosed Asperger's and ADHD. His mom was at wit's end, too. Finally she just gave in and let him eat white food. He grew out of it.

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Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.
I have a young family member with this. Now that he's a teen, it is better, but as a little guy, he only ate white food. He is diagnosed Asperger's and ADHD. His mom was at wit's end, too. Finally she just gave in and let him eat white food. He grew out of it.

I told mom that he may just grow out of it but she can be a little neurotic. Not that there's anything wrong with that!

What is white food? Rice, wonder bread, cauliflower and milk? Can we eat only pink food on Wednesdays?

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How about adding in some pediasure to supplement his diet? He may have an aversion to that too if he is that picky though!!!!

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
I said the same thing but mom told me he doesn't really ever feel hungry so it's not like only providing him with certain foods will make him desperate enough to eat whatever is available.

What is his affect like? Our pseudo foster was on ADHD meds at age 4 and mom kept him heavily medicated, he was zombie like. We didn't really know his real personality until she let us take over his meds. He also had no appetite and was loosing weight, despite unlimited portions.

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I told mom that he may just grow out of it but she can be a little neurotic. Not that there's anything wrong with that!

What is white food? Rice, wonder bread, cauliflower and milk? Can we eat only pink food on Wednesdays?

yogurt, banana, grilled cheese (white cheese only) French fries, and rice

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
I had one like that, then my wife was out of work for two years. The inability to make multiple meals and limited portions changed his pickiness quickly. I blame parents (myself included) for this. A few nights of limited choice and portions will change his appetite. We deal with this with a student here, once again it is parenting, and Heaven help him when he forgets his Froot Loops and PopTart for lunch.

Amen brother. Feeding kids is like feeding your pets. You put the food out, give them a certain amount of time to eat, and pick the food up. If they don't like this meal or they're not finished, they can give it a try the next meal. I have 4 boys and none of them have food aversion. They don't have to eat anything they don't like but the meal is the meal and there is no other choice until the next meal.

The issue in cases like this is parent driven obsession over food and fear the kid is going to starve to death; he's not. It becomes a downward spiraling anxiety driven battle that, in some cases, has permanent negative effects.

This poor guy has been given too many choices at an age when he needed limits and boundaries. Your best bet is just to leave it alone because you've been invited to the party too late. Encourage and uplift him but that's about all you can do now.

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