By: Emily Shwake

Last week, we talked about how to help your niece or nephew break their picky eating habits. But did you know how vital it is that you do so?

While picky eating might just seem frustrating, a new study from Duke Medicine has discovered that it can cause depression and anxiety for the picky eater. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is when a child demonstrates “moderate to severe patterns of selective eating.” These children are so selective that there are health consequences. The study shows that these children are twice as likely to be depressed and rates increase for forms of anxiety as well.

"These are children whose eating has become so limited or selective that it's starting to cause problems," said Nancy Zucker, Ph.D, director of the Duke Center for Eating Disorders. "Impairment can take many different forms. It can affect the child's health, growth, social functioning, and the parent-child relationship. The child can feel like no one believes them, and parents can feel blamed for the problem."

Picky-eating children aren’t being intentionally difficult. Your niece or nephew is most likely picky because her or his senses are heightened, making the experience of exposure to new foods overwhelming. This can cause food aversion and disgust.

If the tips we supplied last week don’t work, and you think that your niece or nephew may be at risk for ARFID, consider sharing this study with their parent or legal guardian.  

Photo: oksun70
Published: August 10, 2015