Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 1: A qualitative systematic review has highlighted the significant challenges faced by informal caregivers while managing feeding for children undergoing cancer treatment, revealing how altered eating habits often strain household routines and caregiver wellbeing.

The review, which analysed 28 studies from 13 countries involving children aged between 2 and 18 years, found that caregivers frequently adapt meal preparation and mealtime strategies in response to reduced appetite and changing food preferences caused by cancer and its treatment. When children struggled to eat, many caregivers said they prioritised the child’s ability to consume food over its nutritional value, making real-time compromises to ensure calorie intake and reduce conflict during meals.

Researchers noted that mealtimes, which are typically supportive family moments, often became stressful. Caregivers employed a wide range of strategies to encourage eating, from positive reinforcement and incentives to more forceful or coercive approaches when they felt anxious about their child’s nutritional intake. These methods were shaped by uncertainty over what children could tolerate, treatment-related symptoms, and fluctuating appetites.

The study also found that feeding was not viewed as merely a practical task. Caregivers described emotional distress, fatigue, and anxiety linked to feeding difficulties, while family dynamics were disrupted as shared meals became irregular or emotionally charged. Changes in routines and heightened tension around food were reported to affect relationships within households.

A major concern raised by caregivers was the lack of access to clear, tailored dietary guidance. Many relied on personal judgement or support from relatives due to limited professional advice. The authors stressed that healthcare providers should offer practical and personalised nutritional guidance to reduce caregiver burden and support children’s health.

The review concluded that further research is needed to better understand caregivers’ feeding experiences both before and after a child’s cancer diagnosis, to develop more effective support systems.