Elsevier

Appetite

Volume 95, 1 December 2015, Pages 349-359
Appetite

Research review
Picky/fussy eating in children: Review of definitions, assessment, prevalence and dietary intakes

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2015.07.026Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Highlights

  • There is little consensus on the definition of picky eating or on assessment tools.

  • There is a wide variation in the reported prevalence of picky eating.

  • Health-related outcomes have been little researched.

  • The reported effects of picky eating on dietary intakes vary.

Abstract

Picky eating (also known as fussy, faddy or choosy eating) is usually classified as part of a spectrum of feeding difficulties. It is characterised by an unwillingness to eat familiar foods or to try new foods, as well as strong food preferences. The consequences may include poor dietary variety during early childhood. This, in turn, can lead to concern about the nutrient composition of the diet and thus possible adverse health-related outcomes. There is no single widely accepted definition of picky eating, and therefore there is little consensus on an appropriate assessment measure and a wide range of estimates of prevalence. In this review we first examine common definitions of picky eating used in research studies, and identify the methods that have been used to assess picky eating. These methods include the use of subscales in validated questionnaires, such as the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire and the Child Feeding Questionnaire as well as study-specific question(s). Second, we review data on the prevalence of picky eating in published studies. For comparison we present prevalence data from the UK Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) in children at four time points (24, 38, 54 and 65 months of age) using a study-specific question. Finally, published data on the effects of picky eating on dietary intakes (both variety and nutrient composition) are reviewed, and the need for more health-related data and longitudinal data is discussed.

Keywords

Picky eating
Fussy eating
Feeding difficulties
Feeding problems
Choosy eating
Faddy eating
Child
Diet
ALSPAC
Eating behaviour

List of abbreviations

ALSPAC
Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children
CEBQ
Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire
CFQ
Child Feeding Questionnaire
RNI
Reference Nutrient Intake

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