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Mummy, not this again!
Updated On: 11 August, 2024 07:40 AM IST | Mumbai | Nasrin Modak Siddiqi
There’s a thin line between picky eaters and children with early eating disorders, the latter calling for early intervention
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Fussiness typically begins in early childhood, when children reject textures, tastes, or appearances, or become choosy to assert their independence
We called out to picky-eaters, and many adults responded, saying they were as a child or still are. Fussy eating is still a challenge in many Indian families, particularly among children aged one to five years. A study in the Indian Journal of Pediatrics revealed that up to 50 per cent of parents reported their children as picky eaters at some stage. While most children eventually outgrow this phase, there is reported to be a link between persistent fussiness over food and the development of eating disorders. Understanding this connection is crucial for fostering a healthy relationship with food.
In developing countries, picky eating has been linked to nutritional deficiencies, especially essential nutrients such as iron, calcium, and vitamins. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) reported high rates of anaemia among children under five in India, a condition that poor dietary habits can worsen. This fussiness typically begins in early childhood, when children reject textures, tastes, or appearances or become choosy to assert independence. “Recognising the difference between a developmental stage and patterns that could indicate deeper issues is important. Extreme or persistent picky eating can signal Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID),” says Dr Ajit Gajendragadkar, Consultant Paediatrician at PD Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre. leading to nutritional deficiencies.
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