The parents of a 2½-year-old are concerned about their child's finicky eating habits. While counseling the parents, the nurse would accurately make which statements? Select all that apply

Question

1. "The child is experiencing physiologic anorexia, which is normal for this age group."
2. "A general guideline for food quantity at a meal is one-quarter cup of each food per year of age."
3. "It is more appropriate to assess a toddler's nutritional demands over a one-week period rather than over a twenty-four-hour one."
4. "Nutritious foods should be made available at all times of the day, so that the child is able to ‘graze' whenever he is hungry."
5. "The toddler should drink sixteen to twenty four ounces of milk daily."
Correct

Answer 1

1; 3; 5
Rationale:
1. Physiologic anorexia is caused when the extremely high metabolic demands of infancy slow to keep pace with the slower growth of toddlerhood, and is a very normal finding at this age.
2. The correct general guideline for food quantity is one tablespoon of each food per year of age.
3. It is not unusual for toddlers to have food jags where they only want one or two food items for that day. It is more helpful to look at what their intake has been over a week than over a day.
4. Food should be offered only at meal- and snacktimes. Children should sit at the table while eating to encourage socialization skills.
5. Two to three cups of milk per day are sufficient for a toddler, and more than that can decrease their desire for other foods and lead to dietary deficiencies.