Health Tip: If Your Child Is Always Eating

Hunger may not be the only reason

(HealthDay News) -- If your child always seems to be eating, you may need to figure out whether the desire to eat is physical or emotional.

The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends:

  • Teach your child how to rate hunger on a scale from one (extremely hungry) to 10 (completely satisfied). Your child should start eating when hunger rates a two or a three, and stop by a rating of seven.
  • Don't let your child wait to eat, which can lead to overeating.
  • If your child's hunger is at a five, he or she may be eating for emotional reasons. Ask the child what he or she is feeling.
  • Talk to your child about other ways to cope with emotions, such as by playing a game or solving a bothersome problem.

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