Why does my almost 5 yr. old grandson seem to be hungry all the time?

Question

He is tall for his age, 42 inches to be exact. His diet is quite balanced in that he likes many vegetables, fruit, and some meat, but no bread. He does eat noodles.
After one of these episodes, his appetite diminishes for quite some time then the big appetite will return and fuel another growth spurt. Usually when I measure him he will have grown 1/2" to 1" in about 6 weeks to 2 months.
He always grows alot after one of the episodes.
His father (my son) is wanting to restrict his eating because he thinks this is abnormal. I say as long as he grows and does not become overweight, the amount of the healthy food he eats should not be restricted. Is it an old wives tale that one can stunt a young child's growth by them not getting an adequate amount of food(calories and nutrition)?

Answer 1

Growth spurt - just learned this after my 2nd child that when they start eating a lot it's because they just finished a growth spurt and need to build up their immune again, and when they stop eating or eat quite a bit less, they're in a growth spurt.

Answer 2

If you have a grandson, you had at least one child. You should know that kids are hungry because they are growing. They are hungry for what their bodies need. Today, kids have a lot of options that appeal to the brain (sugar, for example) and not the body. The body doesn't need extra sugar. You should feed the child what s/he needs, not just what they want.
Be restrictive with your options, but make sure they feel satisfied, and most importantly, loved by the person who feeds them. Eat with them. Physical, mental, and spiritual nourishment go hand in hand. Feeding children is more important that anyone realizes. Don't squander them, or they learn to be takers instead of givers, demaning their way through life. Teach them the value of work.

Answer 3

This is healthy in children this age. Dont restrict his eating habits unless he starts eating when hes hungy, bored, upset, etc. because this could lead to him being overweight. He seems like a healthy little boy and dont worry about a thing, in a few months to a year, his growth spurts should start to slow down.
I hope this helps.
~reb

Answer 4

He is growing and his metabolism is burning fast as he grows. Have your son take him to his pediatrician and have him ask the pediatrician to give him a healthy diet for your grandson.

I don't blame your son for worrying about your grandson's eating habits. Not too many parents worry about their children's eating habits these days.

Answer 5

sounds like he is a grazer like my girl. some kids are like this just make sure that all his snacks are healthy and lots of them. his growing spurts seem ok as well.

Answer 6

i think most kids think they are hungry when they are bored. my son 7yrs is that way i just tell my him im going to cook in a min. then just make him wait

Answer 7

You answered your own question. He is growing my kids do the same thing.

Answer 8

He's growing, hes going to be hungry!

Answer 9

it's because he's not filling up in the grain's food group. you should feed him whole grain breads, pasta and cereal such as any general mills cereals.

Answer 10

Ask his doctor!