My 10 year old daughter has been diagnosed with anxiety and is seeing a counsellor, who is also aware that I have concerns about her eating habits. She has always been slim but seemed healthy. She has a history of limiting food when she is upset. Emotionally she is very open with me and I don't believe she is hiding anything that may be upsetting her beyond normal.
Over the last 2 weeks she has not been eating well. An average day is:
Cereal for breakfast, usually Coco pops or 1 Weetabix, always a little left.
Lunch: packed lunch coming back mostly uneaten, sandwiches nibbled, a portion of fruit eaten, maybe a biscuit.
After school: milkshake and a biscuit most days, but sometimes she claims not to be hungry.
Dinner: she will normally eat a third to half of her normal portion. She eats all the veg, maybe a bite of something else.
Supper: bowl of porridge, usually eaten.
I am worried because she isn't eating much with protein, but when I offer her anything she refuses. It's at the point where I am just so grateful she is eating anything that I dont complain now.
If I offer her something she dislikes and push it she becomes hysterical and refuses to eat the rest of the day.
She is 4st 5lb and tall for her age.
She is pale and very slim, I can see her bones, not just ribs but bones across her back too.
She has been bullied at school, but this is now resolved. She has been very quiet, tired, complains of pain in her hips.
So, does this food seem too little to others?
Am I right to be concerned? Beyond her counsellor, what should I do? School is aware of all issues but haven't offered any advice or support.