Summary: Eating/feeding disorders in childhood (such as picky/fussy eating) are a common problem reported by approximately 10¬-25% of parents of healthy toddlers. Sometimes they might be a result of inappropriate parental expectations. A precise medical history, proper physical examination, a food diary and growth charts are needed to rule out acute or chronic illnesses. Red flag symptoms or signs that can suggest somatic illness include dysphagia, odynophagia, vomiting and/or diarrhea, incoordinate swallowing, recurrent symptoms/signs of respiratory tract or CV diseases, feeding associated with pain, retardation or inappropriate growth, atopy. Eating/feeding disorders in childhood are reported in 80% of children with neurological diseases, even 90% of children with developmental disorders and 30% of those born preterm.
Pediatricians and general practitioners could play the main role in solving the problem by giving basic feeding instructions and as a result reducing parents’ anxiety, for example: serve appropriate portions, avoid distraction during meals, obey 2¬-3 breaks between meals.