- Food anxiety is becoming a concern for parents and providers, leading to physical symptoms in children like abdominal complaints, headaches, and digestive issues.
- The problem arises when the quality of life is affected due to not knowing what, where, or how much to eat, and fear of certain foods being "bad" or "toxic."
- There is a lot of media messaging about "superfoods" that exacerbates the issue, making people worried about not eating the "right" foods.
- Eating outside the home becomes a source of stress, as children may be afraid to eat certain foods or go to certain places.
- The key is to help people understand that food is social and necessary for our well-being, and to provide guidance on how to plan for different situations without the anxiety around food.
Avoiding Food Anxiety in Children
When “healthy eating” turns into worry, food anxiety can become a source of stress in children.
Amer Al-Nimr, MD, Pediatric Gastroenterology
