As a mommy, I am very particular with the foods I give to my kids.  Though there are times that they need to choose which food they're going to eat.  So, I need to introduce and train them to indulge in different nutritious foods even though they don't like it.

I am a mother of two kids, a 6years old and a 2 years old, and they're both boys.  I don't have any problem feeding my youngest son, especially at his age but with my eldest son, well I'm having trouble feeding him vegetables and introducing new foods.  He is very choosy with the foods he eat.   But what I like to both of them is that they both like fish and fruits very much.

Studies show that in the Philippines there 6 out of 10 mothers worry about their child's feeding behavior, I guess I am one of the 6 moms.  Feeding difficulties is prone to the first 11 years of a child's life and children who suffers feeding difficulties may experience impaired growth and low nutrient intake which result in physical and cognitive problems if not reversed.

"Feeding difficulties can be severe enough to impact on growth and nutrient intake, so it is important not only to address the eating behavior but also to provide adequate calories and nutrients to children at part of their management," said Dr. Rita Paz Rowena A. De Guzman, Fellow and Board Member, Philippine Society for Development and Behavioral Pediatrics.

The most common nutrients lacking in a child with feeding difficulties include Vitamin A & D , Iron and Zinc.  In order for a child to reach their optimum growth potential they require these essential nutrients as well as adequate calories.

I remembered my kids' Pedia gave my eldest son an Iron Booster, I guess because he looks pale.  While my youngest son was given Vitamins with Zinc.  Now, I am now really worried on these aspect.

IMFED explained about the different types of Feeding Difficulties, there are four general types of Feeding Difficulties:

1. Parental Perceptions - child who is achieving satisfactory growth but the parents believe their child's appetite is limited.
2. Fundamentally vigorous - child who rarely shows signs of hunger or interest in food. The child is very active, more interested in playing and is easily distracted.
3. Highly Selective eater - child has limited food selection, has negative reactions to take, texture, smell and appearance of food.
4. Fear of Feeding - child is afraid to eat after having a painful or bad experience withe eating

Oh my, I think my children experienced all those types of Feeding Difficulties.  So I better be more observant on the behavior of my kids towards their foods.  I guess one good Parental Advice are choose a designated place when eating, avoid distraction, do food chaining and Increase the amount of food gradually, I will try it all on my kids.

Identification and Management of Feeding Difficulties or IMFED program was developed by a multidisciplinary group of doctors led by Dr. Benny Kerzner and Dr. Irene Chatoor in order to properly screen a child for his/her specific feeding difficulties. IMFED is being used by 16 countries and endorsed by nine medical societies globally. IMFED employs a systematic approach in investigating feeding difficulties among children.

Currently, there are more than 400 IMFED MD Network who can be consulted for these conditions. These doctors have collaborated to form an IMFeD Network to share the advocacy of screening every child for feeding difficulties and to provide clinical expertise in managing these children.

Hmmm... I will ask my kids' pedia if she is with IMFed, so I can let my kids be screen, to be assess and be diagnosed to know if they do really have feeding difficulties.

Abbott Nutrition Philippines supports this endeavor by creating awareness on the IMFed MD Network.

To know the doctors who are part of the IMFed MD Network in your area, please call 995-1555 or 1-800-10-995-1555.

So mommies, try to be aware on your kids nutrition in take.  Health is very important to us, specially with our kids.  Developing good feeding habits is essential nowadays. Be aware and be healthy.