5yo limiting what they are eating

[Towersandbridges]

My 5yo DD's attitude to food has changed quite a bit over the past few months. She used to have a big appetite and enjoyed nearly all food as long as it wasn't spicy.
Now she often asks questions about whether food is healthy, is very slow eating dinner, sometimes because she is pretending to eat her meal, and this morning said she was only having one Weetabix for breakfast because she doesn't want to get fat. She has worried about not getting fat before.
I don't know what approach to take to help. We talk about how we need protein, carbohydrates, etc when she asks about particular foods. She seems very young for this to be an issue. Has anyone had a similar experience?

My DSD has never worried about eating too much or getting fat. She speaks about certain foods being healthy or unhealthy. Obviously things she's picked up at school about healthy eating, too much sugar being bad for your teeth etc. all positive things, but never concerns about her weight. If anything she wants to know she is getting bigger/taller. That's concerning that she's worrying about getting fat. Perhaps one of the kids at school has said something. They've maybe picked up something one of their parents has said about losing weight.

It's very young for that to be starting.

I would seek advice from the Eating Disorder association.

I'd take her to the GP and have her weighed (under the guise of something else like a check up).
Speak to the GP first yourself, before you bring her in so that she's not made aware that's why she's there.

She needs to see the GP in the first instance. Don't just let it go.

I wouldn't say that this is a typical eating disorder aka anorexia nervosa or bulimia. This mostly always happens during the onset of puberty. I would suggest seeking immediate help from your GP first as this might be a medical problem, not a psychiatric one.
Keep us posted.

Ageee that it seems very unusual in a 5 year old. Is anyone around her talking about limiting food because they might get fat?

I don't think my DC had made a connection at that age about eating to excess and putting weight on. It's not something we discuss. We do talk however about how food gives you energy to do the fun things in life.