Kid won't eat lunch

Published

Specializes in School Nursing.

I often shake my head and think, "How is this a school nurse problem?"

My health aide emailed me because one of the lunch monitors says that a student often won't eat lunch and complains of a stomach ache. We've never once seen this kid in the health office. Is this something you'd look into or pass it on to the school psych or classroom teacher?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school/military/OR/home health.

I'd probably call mom and discuss, to at least see if there is an explanation? Maybe he is on meds? Bullying going on in the lunchroom? Some kids seem to get anxiety from the noise in the lunchroom and can't eat.

I see a lot of the stomachaches mid-lunch and always ask about constipation. I tell the kids they might just be all full in their bellies and they need to make room. I also learned from my daughter that the lunchroom monitors encourage them to eat their vegetables, and claiming a stomachache is the easiest way out of eating their broccoli. Then I see them without that background info. Very annoying. I found that because recess is right after lunch, if I hold onto them until recess is over they don't return another day.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

All valid points. And mom might not know that the student isn't eating. I've had cases where the student has not liked the school lunches and therefore not eaten and therefore had a stomachache. When the parent looked into it, the student didn't like the hot food and didn't want the sandwich alternative because they didn't like the bread. The parent wasn't especially happy because they qualified for free lunch, but did start sending in a sandwich in for the kid and the symptoms disappeared.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.

My entire school qualifies for free lunch and it is frustrating when the kids won;t eat anything because they don;t like it and then complain right after recess that they have a stomach ache. We have called some of the parents with the daily offenders and explained that the kids are refusing to eat and then complaining so they have started sending something in. Even if it a few crackers and a piece of fruit- something to get them through the day. Our school gives free breakfast, 2 free snacks and free lunch so the kids are eating at some point while they are here at least.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school/military/OR/home health.
My entire school qualifies for free lunch and it is frustrating when the kids won;t eat anything because they don;t like it and then complain right after recess that they have a stomach ache.

This makes me so angry because I have to assume that if a kid won't eat, they can't be that hungry. Barring actual medical problems, of course. I always tell the kids that come in hungry then complain about what I have (crackers) that they must not be too hungry. I mean really, if you are truly not being fed and someone offers you something you wouldn't normally like, wouldn't you eat it?

Am I being mean here?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
This makes me so angry because I have to assume that if a kid won't eat, they can't be that hungry. Barring actual medical problems, of course. I always tell the kids that come in hungry then complain about what I have (crackers) that they must not be too hungry. I mean really, if you are truly not being fed and someone offers you something you wouldn't normally like, wouldn't you eat it?

Am I being mean here?

According to today's standards, of course you're being mean...but I totally agree. I'd eat the south end of a north bound mule if I was hungry enough. I've raised/raising my kids with this caveat. "You don't have to eat what is provided for this meal because you'll have another opportunity to eat at the next meal." No substitutes. End of story. Now that is being mean; maybe even CPS worthy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school/military/OR/home health.
I'd eat the south end of a north bound mule if I was hungry enough.

Totally snorted and spit my coffee out on that. Made my day.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'd eat the south end of a north bound mule if I was hungry enough.

This has Dr. Suess's "The Zax" running through my head now! One of my favorites and I could probably repeat it from memory!

"I'm a North Going Zax and I always head North! So get out of my way now and let me go forth!"

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

Sometimes these kids end up coming later because they get hungry. At that time, I talk to them and ask them what's going on. They eventually tell me, and sometimes it's home issues or something else. I try to help them, but if it's out of my hands, I send them to the dean of students who talks to them. Sometimes it's something as small as their friend's ignoring them, so I try talking to them and cheering them up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
This makes me so angry because I have to assume that if a kid won't eat, they can't be that hungry. Barring actual medical problems, of course. I always tell the kids that come in hungry then complain about what I have (crackers) that they must not be too hungry. I mean really, if you are truly not being fed and someone offers you something you wouldn't normally like, wouldn't you eat it?

Am I being mean here?

You haven't met my son. His mother, also a nurse, believes that death will come in the night if he doesn't get something he likes for dinner. I agree, hunger must not be your issue if you turn your nose up to it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Had one just now- 5th grade girl didn't eat lunch because "I was really busy at lunch today" now she's having a full blown staticus dramaticus attack because I ONLY have crackers, yogurt, cheese sticks, or granola bars. Stomped out of my office yelling...so much fun

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing, Hospice,Med-Surg.
I'd probably call mom and discuss, to at least see if there is an explanation? Maybe he is on meds? Bullying going on in the lunchroom? Some kids seem to get anxiety from the noise in the lunchroom and can't eat.

I see a lot of the stomachaches mid-lunch and always ask about constipation. I tell the kids they might just be all full in their bellies and they need to make room. I also learned from my daughter that the lunchroom monitors encourage them to eat their vegetables, and claiming a stomachache is the easiest way out of eating their broccoli. Then I see them without that background info. Very annoying. I found that because recess is right after lunch, if I hold onto them until recess is over they don't return another day.

I love this post. I get a wealth of information from my daughter...finding out who came to school even though they puked this morning, who's starving to meet their wrestling weight class, and all kinds of other health info that normally I'd hear nothing about. Ya know, middle school "gossip" that I really should be privy to.

I'll be lost when she graduates next year.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion