"What I Do Not Eat": Feeding Difficulties in Middle Childhood-An Italian Pilot Study

Feeding difficulties in childhood can persist over time, affecting health and family dynamics. Timely identification is crucial to prevent atypical eating behaviors and nutrition-related consequences. However, data on childhood feeding difficulties remain limited. This study provides the first pilot characterization of eating behaviors among Italian children aged 5-11 years in order to characterize feeding difficulties, identify protective or detrimental factors, and assess relationships with anthropometric indices or blood pressure.

In 2023, a 1-year cross-sectional pilot study was launched by the Società Italiana delle Cure Primarie Pediatriche involving child-parent dyads. Family pediatricians collected anthropometric data and blood pressure, after which parents completed an online questionnaire purposely developed for this study. The questionnaire generated a feeding difficulty score (0-10) where higher values reflected greater risk of atypical eating behaviors. Scores were categorized as follows: low risk (0-1), intermediate risk (2-6), and high risk (7-10).

A total of 742 questionnaires were collected. Overall, 19.8% of the children were categorized as high risk (7-10) for atypical behavior, 43.8% as intermediate risk (2-6), and 36.4% as low risk (0-1). Children with two omnivorous parents showed significantly lower odds of feeding difficulty scores at or above any threshold (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.30-0.71; p < 0.0001). Borderline associations were observed for a breastfeeding duration of at least 9 months (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.61-1.02; p = 0.075) and baby-led weaning (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.52-1.00; p = 0.053). High-risk children had a significantly lower BMI percentile with respect to the other groups.

A significant proportion of Italian children aged 5-11 years exhibited moderate to severe risk of atypical behaviors. Parental eating appears to play a key role in shaping children's eating behaviors in middle childhood, underscoring the pivotal role of pediatricians in guiding families. Further research and targeted strategies are needed to prevent childhood feeding difficulties.