Although in a small portion of kids, it may be a sign of emotional trouble and should be checked out.
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The study involved more than 3,000 children, found that of 600 rated selective, 18 were severe and more than 100 children were “moderately picky” with their food.
Children with moderate and severe selective eating disorder also showed symptoms of anxiety and depression that they are having problems socializing with others as well.
By tracking some of the children over time, the researchers found that selective eaters faced an increased risk of developing anxiety problems as they got older, even when their initial symptoms were taken into account. (In fact, interviewers did not even include cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, when they spoke to parents about their young children’s eating habits, because they’re so widely disliked.).
Rather than treating picky eating as a single problem, picky eating could be a helpful clue of these other health concerns, Zucker said. Researchers observed and interviewed more than 900 children between the ages of two and six in regards to their food preferences, and then looked at the incidence with which they were diagnosed with mental health issues over the following two years.
Thus, bad experience with a certain food could lead to anxiety when a child is given something else that is new and untrustworthy. Zucker says that new interventions are necessary to help these children improve their eating habits. Studies show that except for a minimal margin of respondents, there is no danger or adverse effect to children who are picky.
Zucker said the study did not intend to cause panic among parents of picky eaters.
According to scientists, these children believe the food smells and tastes stronger than it actually does; hence, their aversion and disgust in relation to the products they consume. Among this group, 17 percent were moderate selective eaters – eating only a restricted number of foods and unwilling to try new foods. It can affect the child’s health, growth and social functioning. Those who ate the most selectively were more than twice as likely as normal eaters to have a diagnosis of depression.
They do have some tips for parents of all picky eaters as well.
Based on the data that parents have provided, scientists have noticed a significant link between children’s eating habits and their psychological state.
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The researchers recommend to parents to bring their children to doctors to address the problem. The study can not establish cause-and-effect – nor did it aim to – but William Copeland, an associate professor with the Duke University School of Medicine and an author on the study, told The Huffington Post the finding suggests there is a “complex interplay going on”.
