Poor appetite in children stems from two primary causes: First, overfeeding. As all organs are still developing, their functional capacity is limited. For instance, digestive enzymes secreted by the digestive system are less active and produced in smaller quantities. Under these physiological conditions, overfeeding increases the workload on digestive organs, leading to poor digestion and absorption.Second, illness can diminish appetite. During sickness, a child's digestive enzymes are also affected, making them less hungry.
If poor appetite stems from overeating, parents should reduce portion sizes—avoid forcing large servings—and limit solid foods. Additionally, consider digestive aids like pepsin, digestive tablets, or digestive syrups.For illness-related loss of appetite, prioritize nutritious foods the child enjoys. Offer smaller, more frequent meals instead of large portions or hard-to-digest foods, allowing the digestive system to rest and recover. Once the illness subsides, the child's appetite will gradually return.