Clean plate syndrome is when a person feels the need to eat all the food on their plate regardless of whether they feel full at a meal.
On the other hand some people including kids have a condition in where they are picky eaters or have eating disorders that prevent them from eating food.
Food Neophobia is a phobia that causes the reluctance to try novel foods and is an attitude which dramatically affects the human feeding behavior in many different aspects among which food preferences and food choices appear to be the most thoroughly considered.
If your child refuses to eat you should not force them unless they go longer than a few days without eating.
You should also give the child nutritional drinks which can help to be a meal replacement and if they still refuse to eat after longer than 3 days or so then take them to the doctor to have them checked out as they may have an eating disorder.
It's usually okay for a child to go up to a week without eating although they can begin to get weak and sick within 4 days or so.
Some children can survive up to 2 weeks without food and in most cases a child will begin eating within a few days or so of refusing to eat.
However if the child hasn't eaten within a few days they should see a doctor to see what is going on.
You should not force a child to eat unless it's been a few days or longer and they still refuse to eat.
Sometimes you do need to force a child to eat for their health as you can only go so long without eating before you become really sick or even die.
But before you force your child to eat it's best to take them to the doctor to find out what is going on as they may have an eating disorder.
You should not always worry if your child is not eating unless they go more than a few days without eating.
It's normal for kids to sometimes not eat or refuse to eat for a day or two and then return to eat.
However if the child still refuses to eat after 2 days or longer and they have no stomach issues then you should worry and take them to the doctor as they could have an eating disorder and may need to be given nutrition through IV or feeding tubes.
A child can starve themselves although in most cases a child will eventually eat even if it takes a few days.
But if your child is not eating within a few days or longer then you should take the child to the doctor to be checked out as they may need to be tube fed to get nutrition into them.
But most children go through times where they refuse to eat for a few days or even a day and then they eat.
To get your child to eat try asking them what they would prefer to eat and then prepare that food.
In some cases it could be that the child hates a certain food and fixing them something else can get them to eat.
If they still won't eat then let it go and try again later but if the child refuses to eat for longer than a few days then you should take them to the doctor.
In some cases a child will eventually eat once they get hungry enough although sometimes they may not eat until they get really sick and in that case medical attention will be needed.
If your 7 year old is not eating it could be that they don't like the food or they may have a stomach issue or not feeling well.
Your 7 year old who does not eat may also have an eating disorder that should be checked out by the doctor.
Also some kids may refuse to eat when around other people such as at school which is normal.
Eating disorders can occur in children of any age and even teens and adults.
Your child may have an ED or eating disorder if they refuse to eat or have trouble eating.
It's normal for your child to refuse to eat some days and refuse to eat certain foods.
However if your child has problems eating or refuses to eat for days then you should be concerned and take the child to see a doctor.
Your child may have AFRID which is an eating disorder.
An ARFID disorder is a disorder and condition that makes it hard for someone to eat.
ARFID is Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder.
ARFID in children is most often treated through use of medication, family based treatment, psychotherapy, behavioral interventions and medical nutrition therapy.
The symptoms of ARFID are.
Sudden refusal to eat foods.
A person with ARFID may no longer eat food that that ate previously.
Fear of choking or vomiting.
No appetite for no known reason.
Very slow eating.
Difficulty eating meals with family or friends.
No longer gaining weight.
Losing weight.
No growth or delayed growth.
ARFID is Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder.
ARFID is a new addition to DSM-5, the official list of psychiatric diagnoses.
It had been known as feeding disorder of infancy or early childhood, or eating disorder, not otherwise specified.
ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is one such eating disorder diagnosis we see a lot of crossover with OCD behaviors and symptoms.
Those struggling with ARFID have an intense lack of interest or aversion to food as well as extreme sensitivities around eating.
Children may feel intense anxiety about eating certain foods or have stunted growth because of nutritional deficiencies.
One recent study from Switzerland estimated the prevalence of ARFID among children aged 8–13 at about 3.2%.
ARFID is one of the most common eating disorders treated in children.
Some of the other complications associated with ARFID include malnutrition, weight loss, vitamin deficiencies, developmental delays, gastrointestinal problems, stalled or stunted weight gain and growth (in children), co-occurring anxiety disorders, and problems with socializing.
Physical or mental abuse, a bad breakup, or even a car accident can have very strong effects on the psyche.
Trauma during childhood, even if it seems to have been suppressed, can cause issues later in life.
As a result, ARFID's initial onset is most commonly observed during the late teenage years and early adulthood.
A person with ARFID may limit their diet for several other reasons, including that they have a lack of interest in eating, a fear of aversive consequences (like choking or vomiting), or sensory sensitivity.
There is no standard treatment for ARFID because it is a relatively new diagnosis.
As with other eating disorders, ARFID has no singular cause.
However, the evolving scientific literature suggests that this pattern of disordered eating develops from a complex interplay between genetic, psychological and sociocultural factors.