Anorexia and Developmental Retardation

Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Bünyamin Teymuroğlu said that the rate of anorexia is 25 percent in children with normal development and 80 percent in children with retardation in development. Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. stated that it means rejecting basic foods for various reasons. Bünyamin Teymuroğlu also pointed out that it is one of the most common problems in pediatric outpatient clinics. Stating that anorexia is seen at a rate of 25 percent in children with normal development and up to 80 percent in children with developmental delay, Teymuroğlu said, "Especially families with children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years consult a doctor due to lack of appetite. Children who consume less food after a while than their peers." begins to gain less weight. This increases the anxiety and worry of the parents. The family unintentionally puts pressure on the child with this concern, and as a result, the child's eating problems increase and enters a vicious circle. However, many reasons can be shown as factors for loss of appetite. The child's structure, nutritional transitions "It may be caused by diseases such as mechanical feeding, organic causes, chronic diseases, food allergies, cactose intolerance, celiac disease. Failure to manage these conditions well has a negative impact on the development of eating behavior in children and increases nutritional problems in children," he said. Stating that responsibilities should be determined first in case of loss of appetite, Dr. Bünyamin Teymuroğlu, "The family should decide what the food is, when and where to eat it, and the child should decide how much to consume. Excessively large portions should be avoided and more should not be forced. Food suitable for the child should be chosen. The food to be served should be chosen taking into account the child's priorities. The child's age." It should be suitable for motor development, and it should be ensured that the child consumes foods that he or she likes. It should be started with small amounts and the food that he does not like should not be forced. It should be tried again after a while after he refuses. Distractors such as television, tablets and toys should be avoided during meals. The child should be at the same table and high chair with family members. It is very important to have li. "Eating with the family makes the child feel like a member of the family and at the same time learns by imitation," he said.