Picky eating is defined as refusing foods often and eating the same foods over and over. Although picky eating is only a phase in some children, it can be a sign of a more serious issue in others. Picky eating often begins around the time when toddlers begin to feed themselves and are able to choose what and how much to eat. It is also during this time that children begin to learn many new skills including walking, running and talking. These changes can cause some children to feel overwhelmed or anxious. As a result, some seek consistency in their lives, including eating the same types of foods. This allows them to feel safe and secure during a period of rapid change. Recent research has discovered a link between picky eating and certain disorders among children, including depression and anxiety. If not managed properly, these issues can very well transition over into adulthood.

For other children, picky eating can develop from feeling overwhelmed by an influx of sensory information (i.e., touch, smell and taste). Some children with a heightened sense of smell (hypersensitivity) makes them taste flavors more intensely than other people. This may cause them to feel higher levels of disgust — even to the point of gagging — when eating foods they do not like. If left untreated, this can also continue into adulthood and worsen with age. In fact, a recent study on adult picky eaters from Duke University found that the majority of picky eaters surveyed reported that their selective eating habits started when they were children.

Because picky eating is often associated with other issues, experts recommend parents seek professional help if they feel their child’s picky eating habits are persistent. If it is discovered that a child’s picky eating habits are not a phase, but rather are linked to other issues, it is best to treat the underlying issue that is causing the picky eating.