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My daughter is 9 years old and tends to really overeat, even when she becomes nauseous. That happens mostly when we go to a self-service restaurant or when we go to my mother who always has a lot of food. She feels that she is full and becomes nauseous, nevertheless she can keep on eating and then it can happen that she throws up in the night. She does not keep that a secret to us, by the way, she'll call us.
We never have a lot of sweets or unhealthy things in the house, she isn't at all fat, very skinny. She can easily eat a whole packet of crackers but in general she eats pretty normal.
Are all kids so focused on food and stuffing themselves if they have that chance or is that not such a normal case?
I would check with a doctor and make sure she is fine. Sometime there may simply be some kind of disorder that you don’t know about.
I agree with this. What popped into my head was a show I saw once about a teenager who was always hungry. No matter how much she ate, the feeling of hunger never went away. It was a physical disorder wherein the "I am full" message never kicked in to the brain. They had to lock up food between meals.
However, the OP says that her daughter IS full. I wonder if it could be a hormonal or thyroid issue. Is it something she's always done, or is this new? Questions the doctor will ask.
My daughter is 9 years old and tends to really overeat, even when she becomes nauseous. That happens mostly when we go to a self-service restaurant or when we go to my mother who always has a lot of food. She feels that she is full and becomes nauseous, nevertheless she can keep on eating and then it can happen that she throws up in the night. She does not keep that a secret to us, by the way, she'll call us.
We never have a lot of sweets or unhealthy things in the house, she isn't at all fat, very skinny. She can easily eat a whole packet of crackers but in general she eats pretty normal.
Are all kids so focused on food and stuffing themselves if they have that chance or is that not such a normal case?
Of course not. But it's curious that you even asked such a question, which makes me wonder--were YOU that way as a child? Perhaps this is something genetic.
I agree with this. What popped into my head was a show I saw once about a teenager who was always hungry. No matter how much she ate, the feeling of hunger never went away. It was a physical disorder wherein the "I am full" message never kicked in to the brain. They had to lock up food between meals.
However, the OP says that her daughter IS full. I wonder if it could be a hormonal or thyroid issue. Is it something she's always done, or is this new? Questions the doctor will ask.
That is Prader-Willi syndrome and it is very dangerous if not treated because people with PWS will eat and eat. Usually there are symptoms even at birth like low muscle tone, and babies with PWS are often underweight because they can’t suck a breast/bottle as well as other children.
However, if she feels like she is full, it is probably not this. I have heard PWS being explained like imagining you are permanently stuck eating an 800 calorie diet all the time, as it causes people to be ravenously hungry at all times, even when a normal person would be full. People who are successful with PWS usually have to weigh their food and keep to a strict diet/exercise plan. Children usually need food locked up. Something like diabetes is probably more likely though.
That is Prader-Willi syndrome and it is very dangerous if not treated because people with PWS will eat and eat. Usually there are symptoms even at birth like low muscle tone, and babies with PWS are often underweight because they can’t suck a breast/bottle as well as other children.
However, if she feels like she is full, it is probably not this. I have heard PWS being explained like imagining you are permanently stuck eating an 800 calorie diet all the time, as it causes people to be ravenously hungry at all times, even when a normal person would be full. People who are successful with PWS usually have to weigh their food and keep to a strict diet/exercise plan. Children usually need food locked up. Something like diabetes is probably more likely though.
That must be torture. I am cranky as hell when I am hungry.
I didn't even think of diabetes, but you might be right.
It could be a behavioral issue, such as people "pushing food on her". Does Grandma say things like "Have more spaghetti. I know it is your favorite and I made it just for you" or "Please have more birthday cake. It is a special occasion". Some families use guilt to encourage overeating. Or even people serving her too much food and then insisting that she clean her plate. Perhaps, multiple issues.
Or, it could be related to stress or anxiety, especially if it only happens in specific situations (at a buffet restaurant and at Grandma's house) and not in other places. Heck, it could even be some type of food allergy or food sensitivity. Perhaps, the restaurants and Grandma use more spices or MSG that she doesn't usually have at home or at school.
Or maybe the food tastes much better than at home so she wants to eat lots of the great tasting food (because she knows that tomorrow it will be the same old, bland, boring food).
I know many parents & grandparents who will say things like "It is only two bites so you need to finish it" when the child says that they are full. If this happens again and again a child may not really understand when they are full and overeat.
What do you tell her when she says that she is full and starting to feel nauseous? Do you say "OK, just stop eating" or say things like "We paid $10.00 for your meal. Are you sure that you are full?" or "Grandma spent all morning cooking. Are you sure that you are full?"
Last edited by germaine2626; 06-16-2020 at 06:58 PM..
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