Children who close their mouths and refuse to eat often make parents confused. Do not let children experience growth disorders due to hunger strikes or picking up food. Therefore, it is important to find out ways to increase a child's appetite. A person's appetite is controlled by the hormones ghrelin and leptin. The hormone ghrelin increases appetite, while the hormone leptin functions to reduce appetite and inhibit hunger. The hormone ghrelin is released in the stomach which then gives the brain hunger signals. Parents can estimate the calorie intake of children so that no less than their needs. The calorie needs of children per day differ according to age, sex and physical activity. On average, children aged 2-3 years need about 1,000 calories per day, ages 4-8 years need 1,200-1,800 calories per day, and children 9-13 years need 1,600-2,200 calories per day. Easy Ways to Increase Children's Appetite Lack of appetite in children and adults can be caused by various ...