Chapter 11, Problem 1.1CS

Summary Introduction

To determine: The signs that Person G’s feeding problem is connected to his speech.

Introduction: A child refuses food often or eat the same food over and over is referred to as picky eater. Picky eating mostly peaks in the toddler and preschool years.

Explanation of Solution

Person G is aged 3 years and is a well groomed boy and does not have a medical or nutritional diagnosis yet. Person G walks and moves well but he prefers to play alone. The favorite food of Person G includes macaroni, cheese, and white bread without crusts, mashed potatoes, honeycomb cereals, and crackers. Person G throws foods like hamburgers, fruits, most vegetables, any food combinations that he does not like.

Person G’s mother took him to a pediatrician due to his picky appetite and the doctor told there is nothing to worry. His mother is very much frustrated due to his eating habits and feels difficult to take him out. Person G is not much interested to eat food when others eat and he is satisfied in drinking juices. Person G has been referred for a speech therapy and his medical history shows that he has three ear infections and there is no other major illness.

Person G’s nutrition assessment shows that he is taking around 1350 calories/day (85cal/kg) and his diet includes excessive amount of vitamin C and B vitamins with adequate protein.

The signs that Person G’s feeding problem is related to his speech are as follows:

• Person G only prefers to consume easily digestible and soft textured foods like macaroni, cheese, and crackers. These types of soft texture and mild taste are relative more toward a child closer to one year of age, whereas Person G is almost three.
• The foods that Person G dislikes need higher feeding skills.