Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

The Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (대한소아소화기영양학회)
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How to Improve Eating Behaviour during Early Childhood

  • Green, Robin John (Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Pretoria) ;
  • Samy, Gamal (Department of Child Health and Nutrition, Institute of Postgraduate Childhood Studies, Ain Shams University) ;
  • Miqdady, Mohamad Saleh (Division of Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City) ;
  • Salah, Mohamed (Wyeth Nutrition, Dubai, United Arab Emirates) ;
  • Sleiman, Rola (Doctor Soliman Fakeeh Hospital) ;
  • Abdelrahman, Hatim Mohamed Ahmed (Cornell Medical College and Hamad Medical Corporation) ;
  • Al Haddad, Fatima (Salmaniya Medical Complex) ;
  • Reda, Mona M. (Institute of Psychiatry, Ain Shams University) ;
  • Lewis, Humphrey (Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Pretoria) ;
  • Ekanem, Emmanuel E. (Department of Pediatrics, University of Calabar and University of Calabar Teaching Hospital) ;
  • Vandenplas, Yvan (Department of Pediatrics, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
  • Received : 2015.01.21
  • Accepted : 2015.01.30
  • Published : 2015.03.30
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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.

Keywords

References

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