Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026
A Treatment Package without Escape Extinction to Address Food Selectivity
Published on: August 21, 2015
How to Improve Eating Behaviour during Early Childhood
Robin John Green1, Gamal Samy2, Mohamad Saleh Miqdady3
1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Insights
Pediatric eating behavior problems, often termed feeding disorders, lack consistent definitions, complicating treatment. This review clarifies terminology and offers management strategies for better child care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Child Psychology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Childhood eating behavior disorders are prevalent, yet inconsistently defined, impacting therapeutic interventions.
- Existing diagnostic manuals may not encompass the full spectrum of conditions observed by pediatricians.
- Substantive research exists, but often with a low level of evidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the diverse terminology surrounding early childhood eating behavior problems.
- To provide a framework for understanding conditions like picky eating, selective eating, and food aversion.
- To aid pediatricians and child care providers in clinical management.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on pediatric eating behavior disorders.
- Analysis of diagnostic criteria and proposed management strategies.
- Synthesis of information to create a unified approach to terminology.
Main Results:
- Identified numerous overlapping and inconsistently used terms for childhood eating problems.
- Proposed clear diagnostic criteria and management tools for clinicians.
- Clarified the roles of dietary counseling and behavioral therapy.
Conclusions:
- Standardizing terminology for pediatric eating behavior disorders is crucial for effective treatment.
- The proposed framework aims to improve clinical management and support affected children and families.
- Integration into mainstream pediatrics is needed to ensure comprehensive care.
Abstract:
Eating behaviour disorder during early childhood is a common pediatric problem. Many terminologies have been used interchangeably to describe this condition, hindering implementation of therapy and confusing a common problem. The definition suggests an eating behaviour which has consequences for family harmony and growth. The recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition does not cover the entire spectrum seen by pediatricians. Publications are substantive but level of evidence is most of the time low. This purpose of this review is to clarify terminology of eating behaviour problems during early childhood; including benign picky eating, limited diets, sensory food aversion, selective eating, food avoidance emotional disorder, pervasive refusal syndrome, tactile defensiveness, functional dysphagia, neophobia and toddler anorexia. This tool is proposed only to ease the clinical management for child care providers. Diagnostic criteria are set and management tools are suggested. The role of dietary counselling and, where necessary, behavioural therapy is clarified. It is hoped that the condition will make its way into mainstream pediatrics to allow these children, and their families, to receive the help they deserve.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
01:24Operant Conditioning Intervention
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
01:28Behaviorism
The core premise of behaviorism is its focus on observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or feelings. This approach argues that true scientific...
01:21Behavior Modification
A real-world application of operant conditioning principles is applied...
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:20Taste Buds and Receptors