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Behavioral validation, precursors, and concomitants of picky eating in childhood
Corinna Jacobi1, W Stewart Agras, Susan Bryson
1Department of Psychology, University of Trier, Germany.
Insights
Parentally reported picky eating in children is linked to selective eating habits starting in infancy. This study validated picky eating using objective measures, finding links to infant sucking behavior and negative affect.
Area of Science:
- Child development
- Nutritional psychology
- Pediatric feeding behaviors
Background:
- Parental reports of picky eating are common but lack objective validation.
- Understanding precursors and correlates of picky eating is crucial for early intervention.
- Previous research has not consistently linked parental perceptions to objective feeding behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate parent-reported picky eating using objective, laboratory-based measures.
- To identify child and parental precursors of picky eating.
- To examine the relationship between picky eating and infant sucking behavior, child temperament, and parental eating patterns.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 135 infants from birth to 5.5 years.
- Objective feeding behavior assessments in laboratory and home settings at 3.5 and 5.5 years.
- Measures included infant sucking patterns, child temperament, and parental eating attitudes and behaviors.
Main Results:
- Picky eaters consumed fewer foods, particularly avoiding vegetables.
- Picky girls reduced caloric intake, while others increased it between 3.5 and 5.5 years.
- Picky eaters showed distinct infant sucking patterns and higher negative affect, but no significant parental precursors were identified.
Conclusions:
- Parentally reported picky eating is a valid construct associated with inhibited and selective eating patterns.
- These eating behaviors are evident from infancy, linked to sucking patterns and negative affect.
- Findings highlight the early onset and objective correlates of picky eating in children.
Objectives:
To validate the concept of parent-reported picky eating using objective, laboratory-based measures and to identify both child and parental precursors and concomitants of picky eating.
Method:
One hundred thirty-five infants were monitored from birth to 5.5 years. Behavioral measures of picky eating were obtained from standardized feedings at ages 3.5 and 5.5 years in the laboratory and at home. Child precursors were measures of infant sucking behavior; parental precursors were disinhibition of eating, restrained eating, body dissatisfaction, and body mass index. Parentally reported attitudes and behaviors thought to be related to pickiness and parental concomitants were taken from the Stanford Feeding Questionnaire. Child Temperament was assessed by the Children's Behavior Questionnaire.
Results:
Picky eaters ate fewer foods and were especially more likely to avoid vegetables. Picky girls decreased their caloric intake between ages 3.5 and 5.5, whereas all other children increased their caloric intake. None of the included parental precursors was significantly related to pickiness. Picky eaters demonstrated a different sucking pattern with fewer sucks per feeding session at weeks 2 and 4. Finally, picky children displayed more parent-reported negative affect than nonpicky children.
Conclusions:
Parentally reported picky eating is associated with a consistent pattern of inhibited and selective eating beginning in infancy.