Online Counseling for Dietary Issues among Kids

Online Counseling for Dietary Issues among Kids

May 16 2023 TalktoAngel 0 comments 1374 Views

Online Counselling is an excellent intervention strategy for dietary issues among children. It can provide support, resource, and guidance for children who are struggling with eating disorders, disordered eating, or other related issues. In addition, counseling online can help children and their families develop healthy habits and behaviors related to food and nutrition.

Need for dietary counseling online for kids:

All children and adolescents need wholesome snacks and meals to support their development and growth. A diet high in nutrients has a big impact on your child's physical and mental growth. Children who consume an excessive amount of foods high in fat, sugar, and salt may unfortunately develop nutritional deficiencies. Frequently, these come in the form of treats such as chips, chocolates, lollipops, soft drinks or they are present in processed foods such as takeaway food. Lack of a varied diet that contains enough fresh and whole foods puts kids at risk for long-term health issues.

For all kids to reach their physical and developmental potential, proper nutrition is important. Children with special medical needs are more likely to experience issues with their diet because of the following reasons:

  • Physical conditions or limitations that may interfere with their capacity to eat, digest, or absorb nutrients
  • Internal metabolic disturbances or long-term medication side effects that cause biochemical imbalances
  • A physical or mental disorder or chronic condition's psychological effects on a child's appetite and food intake
  • Environment-related aspects that could affect a child's access to and consumption of food

Some toddlers have nutritional issues that may affect their health, development, and growth both immediately and over time. Early childhood is characterized by a high prevalence of food allergies, nutritional deficiencies, tooth decay, and constipation.

Signs and symptoms of Poor dietary concerns

Poor dietary habits can cause the following symptoms:

  • Obesity, being overweight or being underweight
  • Changed bowel habits or constipation
  • Tooth decay, poor physical development being pale or lethargic

Poor diet in some kids may be linked to:

  • Behavioral issues
  • Problems with sleep
  • Issues with emotional and psychological growth
  • Difficulties at school or poor concentration

What causes of dietary issues?

When kids don't eat a balanced diet, they frequently don't get enough fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies. The nutrition of a child can suffer from a variety of issues. Some of the more typical problems that might occur include the ones listed below.

1. Refusal to eat

The lack of appetite in children is a major cause of poor nutrition. Some kids are just picky, whether it's an aversion to certain hues or materials. According to the National Institutes of Health, a food jag occurs when a child refuses to eat a variety of foods and restricts her diet to just one food or food group. A good way to get around this is to establish a rule requiring the child to at least taste everything on her plate. With time, your child's eating habits will change, and eventually, they'll start experimenting with new foods.

2. Underweight

Insufficient dietary intake, illness, and a lack of appetite are the most frequent causes of the underweight situation, though there are other factors that can contribute as well. Food insecurity may also be to blame. By ensuring an adequate intake of nutrients and energy, this condition can be cured.

3. A complete lack of fruits and vegetables

The immune and digestive systems are both maintained by fiber. Children and adolescents may not be getting enough fiber if their diets are lacking in whole fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Diets low in fire can make people constipated and increase the risk of heart disease and bowel cancer in children. Including enough fiber in the diet can help protect against gaining too much weight and type-2 diabetes. Vitamin C is essential to the body's ability to absorb iron, fight infection, and speed up the healing of wounds, is also found in a lot of fruits and vegetables.

4. Dental Concerns

The two factors most likely to cause dental caries in children are high-sugar foods and poor oral hygiene. It is possible to prevent this issue by limiting intake of sweets and other caries-risk foods, practicing good oral hygiene from an early age, and taking a fluoride supplement. Damage to teeth from dental caries can necessitate drastic, frequently excruciatingly painful medical intervention.

5. Insufficiencies and allergies

A dietitian should modify or oversee a child's diet if the child or adolescent has been diagnosed with a food allergy or intolerance in order to ensure that they receive the nutrients necessary for healthy growth and development. If changes are not safely managed, food allergies or intolerances such as lactose or gluten can lead to a restricted diet and nutrient deficiencies.

Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables and a healthy diet is linked to increased mood, improved flexibility, and enhanced cognitive function, especially memory.  For proper growth and development as well as to prevent various illnesses, children and teenagers need to eat healthily. Encourage those who are 2 years of age or older to adopt an eating routine that consists of the following: a range of vegetables and fruits, the whole grains, dairy products with low fat and no fat, various protein-rich foods and oils.

Whenever you have worries about your child's general health, weight, or diet, you should take them to see a child psychologist. Dietary issues can affect both your child's physical and mental health. In order to help you ensure that your child has a balanced diet, your child specialist may be able to relate to your children and suggest that you speak with a dietitian. If your child or adolescent exhibits any of the following behaviors such as; has food allergies or intolerances, are restricting their diet or avoiding certain food groups, is underweight or overweight, has an unbalanced diet, or avoids certain food groups altogether. You should also consult with a child specialist, a child psychologist, or the best therapist in India for children offered by TalktoAngel.

Treatment for Dietary Issues

To find counselors who specialize in working with children and dietary issues, you may want to try searching online directories or contacting local mental health clinics, TalktoAngel is one such site. Speaking with your child's pediatrician can also be a good starting point to get more information and referrals.

It's important to note that counseling alone may not be sufficient for severe or life-threatening eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia. Treatment for these conditions may require a multidisciplinary approach that includes medical management, nutritional counseling, and psychotherapy.

If you are concerned about your child's dietary habits or have noticed troubling changes in their eating behaviors, it's important to seek professional help as soon as possible. Early intervention can lead to better outcomes and a quicker path to recovery.

Contribution:  Dr (Prof) R K Suri, Clinical Psychologist, Life Coach & Mentor TalktoAngel & Swati Yadav, Psychologist

 

 



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