Perceptions of food intake and weight status among parents of picky eating infants and toddlers in China: A cross-sectional study.

Parents reported picky eating for infants 6-11 months old (12%), toddlers 12-23 months old (22%) and young children 24-36 months old (36%), similar to rates seen in other countries. However, parent’s perception of food refusal did not reflect actual consumption, nor did nutrient intakes of picky eaters differ much when compared to non-picky eaters. Instead, in healthy children, picky eating seems to be a normal phase of development, without substantial consequences on nutrient or food group intakes.

Li Z, van der Horst K, Edelson-Fries LR, Yu K, You L, Zhang Y, Vinyes-Pares G, Wang P, Ma D, Yang X, Qin L, Wang J. Perceptions of food intake and weight status among parents of picky eating infants and toddlers in China: A cross-sectional study. Appetite. 2017; 108:456-63. doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2016.11.009