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Picky eaters may grow into depressed and anxious kids, research suggests Picky eaters may grow into depressed and anxious kids, research suggests
(35 minutes later)
For many in the toddler-rearing parent populationdinner-time can be a battle: their children are picky eaters, and have divined what seems like a both arbitrary and immovable set of guidelines for their foods. For many in the toddler-rearing parent population,dinner-time can be a battle: their children are picky eaters, and have divined what seems like a both arbitrary and immovable set of guidelines for their foods.
The foods they can’t touch, the crusts that have to be cut off or the ketchup that has to be a certain brand.The foods they can’t touch, the crusts that have to be cut off or the ketchup that has to be a certain brand.
Researchers in a new study published Monday now believe those tendencies, which pediatricians have long advised children will “grow out of”, are associated with a greater likelihood of symptoms of depression, anxiety and ADHD. They also found the symptoms worsen as the picky eating does, with the most extreme picky eaters almost twice as likely to have a diagnosis of depression. Researchers in a study published on Monday now believe those tendencies, which pediatricians have long advised children will “grow out of”, are associated with a greater likelihood of symptoms of depression, anxiety and ADHD. They also found the symptoms worsen as the picky eating does, with the most extreme picky eaters almost twice as likely to have a diagnosis of depression.
“If you give these kids a new food often times they’ll gag,” said Nancy Zucker about the most severe cases.“If you give these kids a new food often times they’ll gag,” said Nancy Zucker about the most severe cases.
Zucker is a professor in Duke University’s psychology and neuroscience department who designed part of the new study, Psychological and Psychosocial Impairment in Preschoolers with Selective Eating (as picky eating is called among academics), which is published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. “It’s so repulsive to them that their reflexive gag response will kick in.” Zucker is a professor in Duke University’s psychology and neuroscience department who designed part of the new study, Psychological and Psychosocial Impairment in Preschoolers with Selective Eating (as picky eating is called among academics), which is published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. “It’s so repulsive to them that their reflexive gag response will kick in,” she said.
Among the worst cases – such as kids who only eat foods of certain colors, textures and brands, the phenomenon was beginning to impair the children’s social functions, Zucker said. Among the worst cases – such as kids who only eat foods of certain colors, textures and brands – the phenomenon was beginning to impair the children’s social functions, Zucker said.
“They couldn’t go to birthday parties, to the cafeteria – or forget overnight camps,” Zucker said.“They couldn’t go to birthday parties, to the cafeteria – or forget overnight camps,” Zucker said.
Zucker and seven other doctors and researchers surveyed more than 3,400 children who visited Duke’s clinics between 2007 and 2010. From that large pool, researchers whittled down the picky eaters to 917 two- to five-year-olds, (excluding those on the autism spectrum where selective eating is highly prevalent).Zucker and seven other doctors and researchers surveyed more than 3,400 children who visited Duke’s clinics between 2007 and 2010. From that large pool, researchers whittled down the picky eaters to 917 two- to five-year-olds, (excluding those on the autism spectrum where selective eating is highly prevalent).
Researchers found more than one in five (20.3%) showed either moderate to severe selective eating, known as “avoidance/restrictive food intake disorder” or Arfid. Those landing in the severe range were more than twice as likely to have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder, such as depression or anxiety, and twice as likely to have behavior problems outside of home. Researchers found more than one in five (20.3%) showed either moderate to severe selective eating, known as “avoidance/restrictive food intake disorder”, or Arfid. Those landing in the severe range were more than twice as likely to have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder, such as depression or anxiety, and twice as likely to have behavior problems outside of home.
Those in the moderate range were more likely to show symptoms of ADHD and separation anxiety. Both groups were 1.7 times as likely to have symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.Those in the moderate range were more likely to show symptoms of ADHD and separation anxiety. Both groups were 1.7 times as likely to have symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
“What I don’t want to do with the reporting of the story is to create panic among the parents,” Zucker said. “To pathologize something that’s not pathological.” That said, she said she does believe that those parents truly struggling, who can’t eat outside the home or feel they’ve “tried everything,” it may be time to seek professional help. “What I don’t want to do with the reporting of the story is to create panic among the parents,” Zucker said. “To pathologize something that’s not pathological.” That said, she said she does believe that those parents truly struggling, who can’t eat outside the home or feel they’ve “tried everything”, it may be time to seek professional help.
There is also little research on what causes Arfid. And for parents, there are few if any trials on how to successfully introduce new foods to children who are picky. How many times do you need to try to introduce the food? Do funny shapes help? Disguising the food? Songs?There is also little research on what causes Arfid. And for parents, there are few if any trials on how to successfully introduce new foods to children who are picky. How many times do you need to try to introduce the food? Do funny shapes help? Disguising the food? Songs?
Zucker looks to “sensory sensitivity”, or the idea that picky eating is a function of the intensity of experience as a possible cause. Similarly, researchers at the University of Rochester theorized there could be “supertasters,” and other scientists pointed to children able to taste bitterness most intensely. All researchers that spoke to the Guardian pointed to a complex interplay of neurology and environment. Zucker looks to “sensory sensitivity”, or the idea that picky eating is a function of the intensity of experience as a possible cause. Similarly, researchers at the University of Rochester theorized there could be “supertasters”, and other scientists pointed to children able to taste bitterness most intensely. All researchers that spoke to the Guardian pointed to a complex interplay of neurology and environment.
While some specific symptoms of selective eaters have been observed, such as a tendency toward soft or uniform foods, there’s a wide variety of childhood dislikes even among a casual survey of former picky eaters (now adults).While some specific symptoms of selective eaters have been observed, such as a tendency toward soft or uniform foods, there’s a wide variety of childhood dislikes even among a casual survey of former picky eaters (now adults).
There are children who hated cucumbers, or only ate raw vegetables, who wouldn’t eat cold foods (save bacon sandwiches) or needed foods separated. Yet, many of the pickiest kids came to love their former nemesis, and now eat salads and guacamole with zeal.There are children who hated cucumbers, or only ate raw vegetables, who wouldn’t eat cold foods (save bacon sandwiches) or needed foods separated. Yet, many of the pickiest kids came to love their former nemesis, and now eat salads and guacamole with zeal.
Incredibly, despite the prevalence of bizarre food tastes in children, the researchers who spoke to the Guardian knew of no studies that indicated the number kids who became picky-eating adults, or how many developed more severe psychiatric symptoms. One of the longest longitudinal studies on picky eating is still in the works at Stanford University, where researchers have followed the eating peculiarities of roughly 80 children from birth to 20-years-old. Incredibly, despite the prevalence of bizarre food tastes in children, the researchers who spoke to the Guardian knew of no studies that indicated the number of kids who became picky-eating adults, or how many developed more severe psychiatric symptoms. One of the longest longitudinal studies on picky eating is still in the works at Stanford University, where researchers have followed the eating peculiarities of roughly 80 children from birth to age 20.
Of course, it wasn’t just the children who were frustrated with this experience: parents reported feeling blamed for their children’s behavior. Zucker told the Guardian some parents believed peers thought they hadn’t done enough to curb their children’s behaviors or discipline their kids. Of course, it wasn’t just the children who were frustrated with this experience: parents reported feeling blamed for their children’s behavior. Zucker said some parents believed peers thought they hadn’t done enough to curb their children’s behaviors or discipline their kids.
“The parents aren’t just accommodating to the child’s – wishes they’re battling about it,” said Zucker. So for parents of kids whose plate was contaminated by the green beans, or have to put the steak and mashed potatoes on two dishes: “Don’t blame yourself,” he said.“The parents aren’t just accommodating to the child’s – wishes they’re battling about it,” said Zucker. So for parents of kids whose plate was contaminated by the green beans, or have to put the steak and mashed potatoes on two dishes: “Don’t blame yourself,” he said.