II. Epidemiology
- Incidence: Up to 50% of those under 2 years
III. Physiology
- Aversion to trying new foods is part of normal development
- One of many signs that child is exercising their autonomy
- Significantly restricted diet (limited to a few foods) may however result in adverse effects
- High Carbohydrate, highly sweetened foods may replace more nutritionally adequate diet
- Galloway (2003) J Am Diet Assoc 103(6): 692-8 [PubMed]
IV. Risk Factors
V. Management
- Review growth charts to confirm no Growth Delay
- Children are wary of new foods
- May take exposure to a food up to 10 times before they accept it
- Avoid punishment or reward as this may exacerbate the problem
- Offer a wide variety of healthy foods at each meal
- Child decides which foods and how much to eat
- Those items not eaten may be re-served as leftovers
- Older siblings who eat a broader variety of foods may be a good influence (modeling)
- Combine foods in fun ways
- Limit milk to 24 ounces daily in toddlers
- Limit juice to 6 ounces per day