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Is picky eating an eating disorder?

Corinna Jacobi1, Gabriele Schmitz, W Stewart Agras

  • 1Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany. cjacobi@psychologie.tu-dresden.de

The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|May 6, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Picky eating in children aged 8-12 is linked to behavioral issues, not disordered eating. Picky eaters avoid more foods and exhibit more internalizing and externalizing behaviors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Child Psychology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Picky eating is common in children, but its associations with other issues require further investigation.
  • Previous research suggests links between picky eating and specific child eating behaviors.
  • Understanding these associations is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of picky eating in 8-12-year-old children.
  • To explore the relationship between picky eating, eating behaviors, and behavioral problems.
  • To examine associations with maternal eating problems.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study assessed 426 children (8-12 years) and their caretakers.
  • Mothers reported on child eating behaviors using the Stanford Feeding Questionnaire.
  • Child behavior and eating attitudes were assessed using validated surveys.

Main Results:

  • Picky eaters avoided more foods compared to nonpicky eaters.
  • No significant differences were found in disordered eating between picky and nonpicky children.
  • Picky children exhibited more internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems.

Conclusions:

  • Picky eating in this age group is associated with behavioral problems, not disordered eating.
  • Findings suggest a distinction between picky eating and clinical eating disorders.
  • Further research should explore the etiology of behavioral issues in picky eaters.
Abstract

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