Selective eating
Eating behavior in humans / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A variety of behaviors whereby people are highly selective in what they eat and do not eat are known as picky eating or selective eating. Selective eating is common in younger children[1] and can also sometimes be seen in adults.[2]
There is no generally accepted definition of selective eating,[3][4] which can make it difficult to study this behavior.[5] Selective eating can be conceptualised as two separate constructs: picky eating and food neophobia.[4] Picky eaters reject both novel and familiar food whereas food neophobic people are thought to reject unfamiliar foods specifically.[6] Selective eating can be associated with rejecting mixed or lumpy foods.[7] It can also be associated with sensory sensitivity.[8]
Estimates of the prevalence of selective eating vary due to measurement instrument, age of sample, population sample etc.[5] However, studies suggest that feeding problems occur in about 80% of children with intellectual and development disabilities, and in about 25-45% of typically developing children.[9] Consequently, a proportion of selective eaters continue into adulthood with similar eating patterns as during childhood.[10]
Selective eating in children is a common concern for parents, as it may lead to nutritional inadequacies and mealtime struggles.[3] While many cases of selective eating tend to diminish with age,[4] some individuals continue to exhibit discerning eating habits into adulthood, which can impact their overall health and well-being.
There is debate as to whether picky eating represents an eating disorder or is related to eating disorders.[11] Some extreme forms of picky eating are recognised as psychological disorders, like avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, or have been proposed as psychological disorders, as with orthorexia nervosa.