OP, 11 year olds should NEVER lose weight.

I would suspect an eating disorder.

This is my DD too...same age, same problem in that she never ate much and eats less during quarantine. However, her sport is swimming. Although she's doing some exercise (mostly walking and strength training), she's not burning nearly the calories she did swimming. She's not losing weight so far, but not gaining either. My DD was already seeing a nutritionist so I am continuing to implement those strategies. It's tough but she needs to eat so I wouldn't just leave it up to her.

This is concerning, OP. Zero appetite at that age is unusual. I would call the pediatrician, sounds like possible anxiety or eating disorder...some kids are having negative reactions to all the stress of this situation.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have a liberal definition of acceptable foods! Chicken finger, quesadilla, avocado, leftover dinner from last night. Anything that has some protein in it is fine.

Today, she ate nothing until 2 pm. I offered several times but she said she wasn’t hungry. Didn’t even ask for Her Easter candy.

This kid will not eat sandwiches, ever. I’m just can’t tell whether this is in response to the decreased athletic intensity or some reaction to quarantine. I don’t know whether to push the food or let her eat when she decides it is time.

Eating disorder? Sorry, but.... 8 hours a week of sports practice and now she won’t eat until 2pm? Highly alarming.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have a liberal definition of acceptable foods! Chicken finger, quesadilla, avocado, leftover dinner from last night. Anything that has some protein in it is fine.

Today, she ate nothing until 2 pm. I offered several times but she said she wasn’t hungry. Didn’t even ask for Her Easter candy.

This kid will not eat sandwiches, ever. I’m just can’t tell whether this is in response to the decreased athletic intensity or some reaction to quarantine. I don’t know whether to push the food or let her eat when she decides it is time.

What sport?

11yr old "athlete", LOL!!!

I would not say my 12 year old is an athlete by any means but would be in baseball right now. He has no appetite either and I’m not sure he would eat at all if we weren’t always reminding him. He says he’s full after only a few bites very often. I’m wondering if stress is playing a part although he seems fine.

He's eating more and doing less athletic activity. I'm guessing gaining weight. But who would touch a scale these days?

Sports are soccer and basketball. She’s supposed to play lax in the spring, too, but that never got off the ground this season.

OP here. I have a liberal definition of acceptable foods! Chicken finger, quesadilla, avocado, leftover dinner from last night. Anything that has some protein in it is fine.

Today, she ate nothing until 2 pm. I offered several times but she said she wasn’t hungry. Didn’t even ask for Her Easter candy.

This kid will not eat sandwiches, ever. I’m just can’t tell whether this is in response to the decreased athletic intensity or some reaction to quarantine. I don’t know whether to push the food or let her eat when she decides it is time.

Why not feed her roast chicken or other non-breakfast foods for breakfast. Mine will gladly eat a sandwich ....turkey, BLT, grilled cheese or definitely Pizza or a burrito for breakfast.

No my athlete is gaining because she can’t practice with her team.

What sport? Gymnastics? Ballet?

"requiring some reasonable meal before any junk food"

So are you saying that she must sit down and eat X, Y, and Z before she is allowed to eat preferred foods? Maybe loosen those restrictions first and see how it goes.

DD is 11. She's always been thin and slow to gain weight, which I always attributed to both genetics and her insane activity level. (8+ hours a week between soccer and basketball practices and a game, plus a few more for simple playing and tournaments). She typically eats a reasonable amount but hates breakfast foods. We were already told by the dr to help her gain a few lbs in the coming months.

Now that we are all home and practices are cancelled, she has no appetite and is losing weight! She's running and doing skill work, so she has energy. But it's gotten to the point that I have to really goad her into eating. I'm not limiting food types outside of requiring some reasonable meal before any junk food.

Any ideas?