Why You Shouldn't Force a Child to Eat: Psychologists Name the Reason

24.02.2023 21:25

Many parents see nothing wrong with forcing a child to eat when he refuses to eat.

However, this should not be done.

Why Parents Shouldn't Pressure Their Children If They Have No Appetite

First of all, experts note that it is necessary to establish the cause of the problem that has arisen. It is quite possible that the child simply does not feel well. At such moments, eating food "by force" can only make things worse.

It is better to ask the child why he does not want to eat.

Also, not everyone knows that such behavior of parents in the future can have unpleasant consequences. Some children begin to experience negative emotions towards food.

child
Photo: © Belnovosti

This is what causes eating disorders.

There is another risk - the danger of weight gain. Sometimes adults simply overestimate the child's needs for food, forcing him to eat more than the prescribed norm. As a result, children may become obese.

If this attitude towards food is formed from childhood, then weight problems will arise on a permanent basis.

Author: Marina Michalap Internet resource editor