My seven year old eats to much for his age any suggestions?

Question

My seven year old son is eating way to much. He says he is hungry all of the time, but I feed him enough. He is always in the pantry. He eats really fast and a lot. Other things concern me as well. He wears glasses and has for 4 years. Recently he threw them in a gravel pit, when asked why he won't give you a straight answer. Our family went to a theme park and had to leave, because he punched one of the characters and would not apologize. My husband and I do descipline. I am really concerned for my son. we have a younger child, who is the total opposite and it is not right when we can't do certain things with him, because of our other son. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Answer 1

You need to see professionals. Whatever started this behavior probably happened a long time ago. It has to stop now and you need to enforce some strict rules now before it gets worse. I have two cousins that were troubled all through childhood and now their troubled adults. I'd say time is of the essence.

Answer 2

Stop buying anything with sugar and high amounts of fat. Just don't have any in the house if you are this concerned about his health. No sodas, no chips, no candy. Buy more natural things to snack on. He will be calmer and he will thank you. You don't want to set this kid up for a life of diabetes and obesity.

If he behaves himself then you can reward him with a trip to McDonalds, but I would monitor what he eats because it is obviously affecting him with ADD or something. He needs supervision which he isn't getting. He also need to start spending time outdoors. If he is eating a lot of unhealth hyperactive foods and playing on the internet that is like a disaster waiting to happen.

As far as the behavior problems, I would do something but I am not sure. I think he needs more attention and instruction when he is good. He might just be bored too.

Answer 3

Definately have a doctor run some bloodwork to make sure he is okay. Increased appetite or cravings can be a sign to some underlying condition.

Keep fruit and veggies as the only foods accesible to him, even if that means buying pantry locks or just not bringing as much junk goods into the house.

For his regular meals, make sure they are high fiber/high protein to help make him full, and make sure he drinks enough at each meal to keep him full as well.

Limit sugar/white-refined carbs (any breads, pastas, or cereals that aren't whole WHEAT... which includes whole grains, reagular wheat, white, and multi-grain!). Those kinds of foods cause cravings for more food.

As far as the other innapropriate behavior, I don't know. I'd have to know a lot more about how you correct him, discipline him, etc. on a regular basis to be of more help. Maybe he's acting out of bordom? Maybe he wants attention? Make sure he has enough stimilation at home so he doesn't get bored and eat.

Make sure not to hurt your other son in the process. Let him still have fun trips, even if that means just going with daddy or mommy while your younger one stays home. If this situation with your younger boy effects your other son too much, he might start acting out or misbehaving.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Here is what my Mom did to me when I just wanted cereal for every meal. I can't eat anything unless its what she made, and then I after time I could eat stuff after dinner. But I would be rebellious and not eat (for a a whole 20 minutes) when I sat there and watched my family enjoy dinner and me being hungry. So I ate the dinner! Every kid does this, once they find out what foods are really good and what aren't as tasty, but important. Oh and if she's actually not eating for a couple hours then it's your choice, I know my mother wouldn't let it go. but I love here and I appreciate what she did.

Answer 5

It sounds to me like your son is having some severe emotional problems and that the eating, throwing away his glasses and the anger are only symptoms of the larger, underlying problem.

The first two causes that come to mind of this kind of behavior in a child this age are sexual abuse and being bullied.

The very first thing that I would do if he were my child is to take him to the doctor for a really good physical. Tell the doctor about all of these problems so that he can specifically look for any physical reason that might be causing this as well as signs of sexual abuse.

Talk to the people at school. Is your son having trouble at school? Is he being teased or bullied? You might also consider asking your son how things are going and perhaps drop in unexpectedly now and then. Sometimes schools fail to tell parents about things that are happening.

Lastly, I would ask my physician for a recommendation to a good child pychologist or family therapist.

Answer 6

It doesn't sound like a discipline problem, it sounds like an emotional one. There are many things that raise ones appetite and high stress and emotions are two of them. Make sure he is taking vitamins everyday, to make sure his body is getting everything it needs to regulate his appetite, etc naturally. It sounds like he is acting out because something is frustrating him. It could be something at school, maybe he is being picked on. A lot of kids don't like having glasses. It sounds like he's a little insecure as well. He needs a supportive, confidence building environment to boost his self esteem. Make sure to point out the things he does well, and give him plenty of positive reinforcement. It is a very big deal, because so many adults do what he is doing. They eat their feelings and act rationally out of anger and emotions. Be sure to set good examples and reward for good behavior. Keep him busy and hide the food from sight. He needs something new to motivate him. Figure out something he is skilled at, or enjoys, like a sport maybe, or an afterschool program, and support him in that. I wouldn't recommend sending him to a pshycologist or anything, this may make him feel singled-out and "different" from normal, which wont help his confidence. If you are really lost, get some books, or call up a phycologist and just ask some questions. I hope everything works out for you and your family.

Answer 7

the eating thing is just a normal 7 year old boy. i have 10 yo boy/girl twins and they have been eating me out of house and home for 3-4 years. they are growing and developing. if he is very active he is prolly burning the calories as fast as he eats them. i would not be over concerned about the eating. make sure to stock up on healthy snacks, granola bars, yogart, cereal, fruit snacks, etc. as for the behavioral issues i would speak to a dr. there could be a medical reason (hormones or the such) for the outbursts. if a dr finds no reason for it, i would suggest a counselor. he may have problems dealing with something recent or just need an outlet to talk to.

Answer 8

I agree with the person who theorized he may be getting bullied at school. The overeating and aggression IS coming from somewhere, although part of it just comes from being a boy. Talk to his teacher/s about it.

Also - he's seven years old, I'm not sure but I think that's at least old enough for T-Ball and definitely old enough for soccer and maybe even Tiger Scouts.

And this just occurred to me too - how old is his little brother? Could he be jealous?

Answer 9

He's seven , and he has free rain on the pantry . I suggest you get your self a lock for things that you don't want him getting into and then set some rules that unless you put it on the table for a meal, it is off limits. As kids we were not allowed to get in to the Fridge or any other food storage place. and even as adults we would never consider getting in to our parents things.
as to his hostility, I suggest that maybe he need to have a physical, and possibly there are things that you are unaware of going on , that he's rebelling against, and doesn't know how to get your attention or tell you what is happening,

Answer 10

Wow. That's a really difficult situation. First of all, keep up consistent discipline. Remember that you are the parent and you make the rules. Second, try to find a good children's councilor. There is a reason that your son is acting this way, but it is impossible to tell why without more information.