Page 40 - Today's Dietitian (February 2020)

Picky

Eating in

Children

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

By Rivanna Stuhler, MSc, RD
P icky eating is a common problem Parents’ Perceptions and Behaviors

of childhood. It’s often considered
A study by Byrne and colleagues that examined
fairly trivial and transient in nature,
maternal perceptions of fussy eating in their
children found that approximately 30% of moth-
but in some cases it may lead to
inadequate weight gain, nutrient
eaters, a proportion supported by Brown and
1
deficiencies, and long-lasting behav-
2,3
colleagues and Mascola and colleagues. The
ioral issues that can be difficult to ers characterize their children as picky or fussy
change. For some children, “picky eating” is a sign perception of a child as a picky eater is highest
of a much more serious issue that requires medical among mothers of children with a lower weight
4
intervention and referral to specialist services. status or BMI percentile. The most commonly
Changing food-related behavioral issues that are reported signs of picky eating in children by par-
well entrenched is extremely challenging for par- ents or caregivers are food neophobia, parents’
ents and dietitians alike and requires patience and a perception of a limited diet, noted decreased
great deal of support for the family and child. Fam- enjoyment of food, rigid or limited behaviors
ilies are more likely to see success if picky eating related to food/eating, and slow eating. Par-
5
behaviors are recognized and addressed early, but ents and caregivers of picky eaters self-identify
if parents’ and caregivers’ concerns are dismissed, as those who put more pressure on a child to eat,
as routinely happens, success is less likely to occur. such as to control the level of intake vs respond-
For dietitians, a comprehensive understanding of ing to the child’s natural hunger/satiety cues; use
picky eating is vital to successfully provide care and bribery as a way of getting their child to eat; and
create effective nutrition care plans. are more likely to be picky eaters themselves. 2,6-8
This article discusses parents’ perceptions and These parental behaviors and tendencies are rep-
behaviors associated with picky eating, explains licated in many similar studies and reviews. 1,9-13
normal feeding development identification and In addition, mothers who admit to using pres-
management of picky eating and feeding disorders suring techniques are more likely to identify
in general, and offers practical strategies for man- their children as picky eaters. Lumeng and col-
aging picky eating behaviors. leagues found an association between pressuring

40 TODAY’S DIETITIAN • FEBRUARY 2020