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Which strategy could help increase food intake for a child undergoing cancer treatment?

  1. Limiting food options

  2. Allowing the child to choose meal times

  3. Using larger portion sizes

  4. Encouraging friends to join mealtime

The correct answer is: Encouraging friends to join mealtime

Encouraging friends to join mealtime can foster a more enjoyable and relaxed eating environment for a child undergoing cancer treatment. Social interactions during meals often lead to a positive atmosphere that may help stimulate appetite and make food more appealing. When children eat with friends, they may feel more comfortable and less focused on their treatment, which can reduce anxiety surrounding food intake. This strategy leverages the power of social influence and support, making mealtime a fun and engaging experience, which can be particularly beneficial during challenging times. The other strategies, while they may have their merits in specific contexts, do not effectively address the issue of increasing appetite. Limiting food options could lead to feelings of restriction, making a child less likely to eat. Allowing the child to choose meal times gives them control, but might not necessarily correlate to increased food intake if they are not feeling hungry or motivated. Using larger portion sizes could overwhelm the child or lead to feelings of pressure, which might detract from their willingness to eat. Thus, fostering a social and friendly atmosphere with peers is a more effective approach to encourage food intake in this situation.