A Dialogue in the Medical Perspective-Body Mass and Nutritional Status Disorders during the Development Period.

Eating disorders among children and youth are a serious social problem. The time of development is the starting point in shaping eating patterns. Proper nutrition provides the basis for psychophysical development. A knowledgeable pediatrician can improve society's health by engaging parents and, later, the child or youth. We offer knowledge on the nutrition basics and the commonly available tools to assess the nutritional status. We will discuss the characteristics of eating and body mass disorders in developing children. We will provide information on the warning signals of eating and body mass disorders and recommend prophylaxis. The reader will be familiarized with the motivational dialogue as an effective control tool for the discussed health issues.