Risk Factors Associated With Food Selectivity in Infants and Toddlers
Risk Factors Associated With Food Selectivity in Infants and Toddlers

Risk Factors Associated With Food Selectivity in Infants and Toddlers

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2025 Feb 3:99228251315865. doi: 10.1177/00099228251315865. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Families of patients aged 3 to 6, evaluated between January and March 2023, were invited to respond to a questionnaire to investigate attitudes toward food in the first years of life. Based on the presence of food selectivity, 2 study groups were compared: 39 selective (42%) and 54 non-selective children (58%). Selective children tended to be less exposed to game activities with food (P < .01), did not show curiosity toward new flavors (P < .01), and presented a diet lacking a group of macronutrients (P < .01). Moreover, selective eaters were more likely to use pacifier and baby bottle (P = .02), to demand something different from what was presented on the dish (P = .04), to be distracted by screens during meals (P = .04). Also, selective children considered mealtime stressful (P < .01) and were forced to eat (P = .03). Finally, selectivity is a frequent reason of discussion between parents on their children nutrition (P = .02).

PMID:39895589 | DOI:10.1177/00099228251315865