Study Says, Picky Eaters Could Be Handled If Parents Will Keep “Hands Off”

Parents find a sense of fulfillment when they are hands-on in raising their children. They would always want to take part in the milestones that their children will have, every day.

However, a recent study says that when it comes to addressing picky eaters, parents should take a back seat and keep their "hands-off."

Megan Pesch, an assistant professor in the pediatrics department of the University of Michigan, authored the study. To make sure that ye study's results are not skewed, it covered families with low-income backgrounds. 

READ ALSO: Picky Eating Vs. Selective Eating Disorder: Why Some Kids Become Food-Selective

How will keeping parents' "hands-off" make any difference to picky eaters?

According to Pesch, forcing kids to finish a plate or to take a bite can backfire to parents. Kids tend to be stressed when asked to do such things.

In the study conducted by Pesch, results show that 14 percent of the 317 mother-child pairs have children who are very, very picky eaters. Twenty-nine percent of the sample size was not too particular. The rest of the children, or 57 percent, were in between being picky and not being specific.

What the study revealed as well, was that the very, very picky eaters were also associated with "high demandingness." These children were those who have less control over what they feel.

Pesch also observed in the study that the children who were pickier eaters have mothers who have more restrictions on certain types of foods.

Previous research has also shown that pressuring children to eat the foods they do not like, does not guarantee that they will be encouraged to have better health or development.

What should parents do to handle picky eaters?

Parents are encouraged to be less controlling when it comes to what their children eat. That means not forcing food to children. Nonetheless, the researchers are still encouraging parents to create meals with a balanced diet.

Here are some other ways parents can help their children to be less picky:

• Involve kids in meal preparations. When kids are aware of what they are going to eat, it somewhat encourages them to try the food that they prepared. This process can also make children feel pride and ownership.
• Let them pick out vegetables during grocery shopping. Aside from using this as a way to bond with their kids, parents are also allowing children to decide on what they are going to eat. Through that, children can find "connection" to what they are going to eat.
• Parents may also encourage children by modeling non-picky eating. When parents try out new foods in front of their kids can be a useful intervention. The curiosity of the child may also prompt them to try something new.

READ ALSO: Healthy Eating For Kids: How To Teach A Child Develop Good And Healthy Eating Habits

Picky eaters do not always "grow out" of it

According to the study by Persch, when a child is a picky eater, there is a possibility that this will become a lifelong ailment.

Intervention, experts say, should be done while children are still toddlers because, by the time they reach four years old, they could already be established, picky eaters.