Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr.  2015 Mar;18(1):1-9. 10.5223/pghn.2015.18.1.1.

How to Improve Eating Behaviour during Early Childhood

• Green RJ
• Samy G
• Miqdady MS
• Salah M
• Sleiman R
• Abdelrahman HMA
• Al Haddad
• Reda MM
• Lewis H
• Ekanem EE
• Vandenplas Y

• KMID: 2315529
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2015.18.1.1

Abstract

Eating behaviour disorder during early childhood is a common pediatric problem. Many terminologies have been used interchangeably to describe this condition, hindering implementation of therapy and confusing a common problem. The definition suggests an eating behaviour which has consequences for family harmony and growth. The recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition does not cover the entire spectrum seen by pediatricians. Publications are substantive but level of evidence is most of the time low. This purpose of this review is to clarify terminology of eating behaviour problems during early childhood; including benign picky eating, limited diets, sensory food aversion, selective eating, food avoidance emotional disorder, pervasive refusal syndrome, tactile defensiveness, functional dysphagia, neophobia and toddler anorexia. This tool is proposed only to ease the clinical management for child care providers. Diagnostic criteria are set and management tools are suggested. The role of dietary counselling and, where necessary, behavioural therapy is clarified. It is hoped that the condition will make its way into mainstream pediatrics to allow these children, and their families, to receive the help they deserve.

Keyword

Eating behaviour disorders; Eating disorders; Picky eater; Early childhood; Meals

MeSH Terms

Anorexia
Child
Child Care
Deglutition Disorders
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Diet
Disulfiram
Feeding and Eating Disorders
Eating*
Hope
Humans
Meals
Pediatrics
Disulfiram

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