Selective Eating Disorder In Childhood

Children with selective eating disorder limit their food intake to a small number of foods. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies.

It is very common for babies to have difficulties with feeding. They have a preference for certain foods and a reluctance to ingest others. In some cases, the rejection is so strong that food intake is limited to a small number of foods. This is the case with children suffering from selective eating disorder.

In the past, this syndrome was not identified, but in the latest revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) it was recognized as a disease with well-defined characteristics. By now, it is well known that the tendency to avoid certain food groups goes beyond a simple whim or inappropriate behavior.

The selective eating disorder

Also known as avoidant / restrictive food intake disorder, this pathology is characterized by the choice of a limited and not very varied diet and a refusal to try new foods. The exclusion of the various foods is carried out on the basis of the sensory characteristics of the various foods: consistency, color, shape, etc. This condition has important consequences from a nutritional point of view.

In children who suffer from it, it is very common to experience significant weight loss or a lack of weight gain which, instead, should occur given their growth phase. In addition, there is an important nutritional deficiency due (in many cases) to the rejection of large food groups such as vegetables, fish or legumes.

The repercussions also concern the psychosocial sphere. People tend to avoid encounters or events where the syndrome could come to light and be a problem. It is a condition that affects the well-being of the child and his parents. Many times, both dad and mom can feel overwhelmed by the baby’s constant refusal of food.

Something more than just a whim

It must never be forgotten that this condition is not the consequence of the whim of a spoiled child. In reality, it is a syndrome that has a multicausal origin and deeper implications.

Although the causes are not yet exactly known, some research links it to various characteristics of the life of the person who suffers from it:

• A common aspect of children with selective eating disorder is that they have an anxious (sometimes obsessive-compulsive) personality and a tendency to social phobia. Typically, subjects also show a low adaptation to change and novelty. It is possible that the eating disorder is one of the manifestations of a rigid and inflexible personality.
• In addition, the difficulty in establishing a connection with the primary caregiver was noted . Children, unable to express themselves verbally, use screams or tantrums to communicate their disappointment. This type of behavior can cause stress, discomfort and nervousness in the caregiver and prevent the creation of a healthy bond of love and trust between the parents and the child. Generally, to avoid these situations, the parent tends to offer the child only those foods that do not create problems, thus reinforcing food restrictions.

• Several studies have shown that a significant percentage of children and young people who suffer from selective eating disorder have a phobia of choking, tend to vomit and have some food allergies.

How to prevent or treat selective eating disorder?

1. As the baby begins solid feeding, methods such as baby-guided weaning can help explore the diversity of foods by allowing the baby to approach the “new” food at his own pace. In this way, the little one will experience this phase as a natural and fun process and not as an imposition.
2. When changing foods, you need to be consistent and patient. You must not get nervous or give in to the child’s rejection.
3. For the little ones, parents are the role model of reference. It is important for children to see that all family members eat what is on the table, without exception. Gathering to eat and chat cheerfully can be helpful.
4. Try to change your way of cooking. Use different flavors, recipes and ways of preparing food than you usually do. Abandoning the routine will stimulate the child’s taste and curiosity to try new flavors.
5. When the disorder has been diagnosed, it is important to seek medical attention. Sometimes, nutritional deficits may require a short hospital stay.
6. In any case, it will be necessary to intervene with a multidisciplinary approach. You can contact psychologists, doctors and nutritionists. It is important to work on the child’s personality and his relationship with his parents. Also, don’t forget that new foods need to be introduced into the baby’s diet gradually.