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

Picky eating normally starts to develop in children at the age of one or when they're beginning to feed themselves. Selective eating in childhood is considered normal but this practice can be a challenge nutritionally and socially.

Children typically grow a lot faster in their first year. But as these toddlers start to learn so many new skills, they also learn how to be picky on what they eat. So, how can we differentiate picky eating from a selective-eating disorder?

Picky Eating vs. Selective Eating Disorder

Picky eating is a normal rite of passage for children. This occurs when kids start to choose what and how much to eat.

A selective eating disorder, on the other hand, is a more severe condition wherein a child didn't outgrow his or her picky eating habits. According to USA Today, a picky eater can be differentiated from a truly food-selective child through the strength of their reaction.

"Kids who are food-selective, they become really upset - they'll cry, tantrum, gag, vomit sometimes," James Hyche, a psychologist at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital in Baltimore, said. "Their reaction is much stronger and much more severe."

Hyche also added that these children with strong food aversions have the possibility of starving themselves to death if their parents won't give in to their selective eating demands. Fortunately, hospitals and academic medical facilities have programs that can help these food-selective teens and adults to overcome their aversions to food.

Reasons Why Some Kids Become Food-Selective

There are no exact reasons cited why some kids become food-selective. Hyche explained that food selectivity can sometimes be triggered by severe allergies or the inability of a child to properly chew certain foods.

In addition, it may be due to a bad memory of choking on a particular type of food. Hyche also added that children with autism are more likely to become food-selective.

Reasons Why Children are Picky Eaters

As for picky eating, Zero to Three reveals that there are many reasons why a child becomes choosy at mealtime. As per the organization, children become picky eaters because they are sensitive to the taste, texture and smell of food.

Moreover, children are picky because they want to feed themselves. Since some children are very active, they often appeared as picky eaters because they hate sitting for a long period of time and lastly, some children have medical issues, where they have a difficulty in swallowing or digesting certain foods.

Effects of Food-Selective Disorder

Picky eating and food-selective disorder can pose health risks to children, teens and adults. Time reports that severe food selectivity can lead to depression and social anxiety since their eating preferences will make it difficult for them to eat with others.

Duke University Center for Eating Disorders director Nancy Zucker also explained that selective eating may be a symptom of a broader hypersensitivity. Other picky eaters can also show symptoms of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder.

So, do you think picky eating can lead to a socially anxious adult life? Sound off below and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.