Excessive eating?

[cynmrn]

I'm kind of puzzled by one of my Kindergarten kiddos. Our school provides free breakfast to everyone in the school, and this includes an entree and a fruit/veggie bar (that sometimes includes items such as English muffins, if the entree is something smaller, like a yogurt). This tiny kid will load up on huge helpings of fruits (e.g. like 2-3 cups of fruit) and will literally eat 7 English muffin halves. At lunch, he eats the same huge helpings of fruit/veggies. He was found on the playground eating the remains of another child's lunch one day. Today, dad brought in a home lunch, which has an adequate amount of food for the average 5 year old and stated that he will be getting lunches packed from now on because of the type of foods we are serving (e.g. corn dogs, chicken nuggets, etc). He said that he often comes home and does not want to eat what they are serving because he says he is full from lunch. Dad states that they have a balanced meal with fruits and veggies at home. He does say that when ever they go to an event like a BBQ, kid will eat more than he does. We have a recent diagnosis of ADHD with a start on straterra (which I've always seen dampen the appetite), but this all occurred prior to meds in the first place. Any ideas? I have encouraged to bring this information to the doctor in the event that a possible metabolic issue is going on. Maybe stress eating? First thoughts were not getting enough to eat at home, but kind of at a loss...

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

If it was metabolic, he would be eating the same at home (bottomless pit). I thinking he might have overheard the parents talk about finances. He is gorging on a FREE breakfast and other kid's lunch so that it costs less to feed him at home. He is also eating more than the father at a BBQ which is also free food.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

Are the parents excessively controlling what he is eating at home? He may be gorging at school because he can. Sometimes when a parent believes say in nothing but a vegan diet and the kid doesn't like it, they may not eat at home and then are starving when they come to school. Or if there is say absurdly strict portion control at home. I'm talking about extremes here. Like a parent who would be very obsessive over what they and their children eat. I would keep and eye on it as it would also concern me.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

my thoughts would also lean towards food supply at home or dietary selections at home. How is this child's stature? Is his BMI within percentile? do you have info to compare to from pre k?

[Wave Watcher]

I was thinking the same about BMI. If the child is a little over weight the parents may belittle him for eating too much or really monitor what he eats. At school it is kind of like a buffet....he may also be a "closet" eater. Easily could be an eating disorder on its way due to family/home life. Just a wild guess.

[SnowyJ, RN]

We did have a child here at school a couple years ago that had Prader-Willi syndrome. Wow, this child would eat and eat unless monitored! We had to assign an aide to her at lunch or else she would eat her food and beg others for more. Their appetite is incredible.

I also wonder about compulsive eating disorder, or as others have mentioned he may not be eating well at home.

[Farawyn]

My nephew used to eat breakfast every day then go to school and have "Texas Toast", because it was new and he never had it before. His mom didn't realize until the school started calling her saying she owed money for daily breakfast.

[cynmrn]

He is an average Kindergartener in regards to BMI. Maybe a little smaller, but appears height/weight proportionate. Mom and dad are pretty average build, as well and don't strike me as people who would be on a strict diet (if that even makes sense), but you never know! Our school district has a lot of families who are of lower SES, which is why my first thoughts were food insecurity, but if they're sending lunch when he could be having free lunch? I think I am just going to continue to observe this week and touch base with teacher about what kinds of foods are packed in his lunch and how he has been doing during breakfast. Kind of a head scratcher!

[abbyzabby]

We did have a child here at school a couple years ago that had Prader-Willi syndrome. Wow, this child would eat and eat unless monitored! We had to assign an aide to her at lunch or else she would eat her food and beg others for more. Their appetite is incredible.

I also wonder about compulsive eating disorder, or as others have mentioned he may not be eating well at home.

I had a student with Prader-Willi last year and had to do the same exact thing with a 1-on-1. Very complicated case.