Henan Doctor Uses KFC to Diagnose Boy's 'Anorexia' — Discovers Home Cooking Too Unappetizing
Bastillepost · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
A Henan doctor has become an internet sensation after diagnosing a young patient's apparent "anorexia" with an unconventional method — buying him fried chicken. The incident began when a grandmother brought her underweight grandson to the hospital, worried that calcium deficiency was suppressing his appetite. Doctor Wang Xiaohui conducted examinations and found the boy suffered from severe malnutrition and a mild pectus excavatum condition, though other vital signs were normal . Rather than prescribe supplements, Wang decided to run a simple appetite test using fast food, which led to a surprising and humorous diagnosis .
Key Points
- Doctor Wang Xiaohui (王曉暉) in Zhengzhou, Henan conducted a KFC appetite test on a malnourished boy whose grandmother suspected calcium deficiency
- Medical examination confirmed the boy had severe malnutrition and mild pectus excavatum (chicken breast deformity), but otherwise normal physiological indicators
- The boy showed drastically different eating behavior — refusing home-cooked meals but readily eating food prepared by others
- After the KFC test, the boy devoured the fried chicken and burger enthusiastically, even crying with emotion, proving his appetite was intact
- Doctor Wang humorously told the family: "You say he won't eat — but isn't his appetite quite good? Your cooking just isn't tasty enough"
Why It Matters
This case highlights how children's food rejection may stem from taste preferences rather than medical conditions, offering a valuable lesson for parents to reflect on their cooking rather than immediately suspecting nutritional deficiencies . The doctor's empathetic approach — prioritizing understanding over medication — has resonated with parents navigating similar feeding challenges, emphasizing that making mealtimes enjoyable is crucial for children's healthy eating development .
This case highlights how children's food rejection may stem from taste preferences rather than medical conditions, offering a valuable lesson for parents to reflect on their cooking rather than immediately suspecting nutritional deficiencies . The doctor's empathetic approach — prioritizing understanding over medication — has resonated with parents navigating similar feeding challenges, emphasizing that making mealtimes enjoyable is crucial for children's healthy eating development .