Feeding Problems Among Typically Developing Children From India Aged 1 to 5: A Cross-sectional Study.

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Child Nutrition
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Feeding problems are prevalent in early childhood, causing parental concern and impacting nutritional intake.
• Understanding the prevalence of these issues in diverse populations is essential for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prevalence of feeding difficulties in typically developing children (TDCs) aged 1 to 5 years in India.
• To utilize the Kannada version of the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS) for assessment.

Main Methods:

• A purposive sampling method was used to gather data from 253 parents of TDCs.
• Parents completed a demographic questionnaire and the Kannada version of the BPFAS.

Main Results:

• The study found a prevalence of 28.9% for feeding difficulties based on TFS scores and 18.2% based on TPS scores.
• Despite observed feeding behaviors, few parents perceived them as problematic.
• A weak negative correlation was found between BMI and feeding difficulty scores.

Conclusions:

• A significant prevalence of parent-perceived feeding issues exists in young Indian children.
• There is a critical need for parental education regarding feeding problems, their consequences, and early intervention strategies.