Strategies to Develop Balanced Dietary Habits: Solving the Dilemma

Inadequate dietary variation due to selective eating behaviours or malnutrition is a global cause of micronutrient deficiencies, especially iron, zinc, vitamins A and D, iodine, and folic acid. According to a caregivers questionnaire, the prevalence of picky eating is reported as 19% at the age of 4 months and can increase up to 50% at the age of 24 months. Other studies have suggested that whilst incidence declines over time, the cumulative impact of eating difficulties increases, as usually it is a chronic cumulative problem with 40% of picky eating episodes having a duration of between 2 and 10 years. The consequences of picky eating or poor food availability include limited food intake and variation (food quantity and quality are impacted), which can lead to macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies and physical, behavioural, emotional, cognitive, and developmental issues.