Liquidlibrary/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — The problems of “picky eating” in kids may extend beyond the dinner table — perhaps even to the psychiatrist’s couch, according to a new study published in Pediatrics Monday.
Duke University researchers looked at 917 kids between 2 and 6 years old, assessing their degree of picky or “selective” eating. They found that children with moderate to severe selective eating were more likely to also exhibit increased symptoms of anxiety, social anxiety and depression.
When they followed up later on with a subgroup of these kids, the researchers also found that selective eating in younger years may even predict psychological issues later on.
The researchers say the findings show that parents need better advice from doctors when it comes to dealing with kids who are picky eaters — and that they may even want to be on the lookout for more serious psychological issues.
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