Picky eating: the current state of research

Purpose of review

In this review, an overview of literature on picky eating is given, with the focus on recently published studies.

Recent findings

Papers on picky eating published over the past 2 years broadly covered three themes: characterization of picky eating; factors contributing to the development of picky eating in children; and management of picky eating. Findings suggest that picky eating is a reasonably robust concept, comprising food neophobia, eating a limited variety of food, and other specific features related to food and eating (e. g. low enjoyment of food, slowness in eating, and higher satiety responsiveness). Picky eating has a higher prevalence in preschool children and seems to decrease thereafter. Studies investigating factors influencing the development of picky eating in childhood have examined a range of child factors, parent factors, and parent-child interactions. Only very limited guidance has emerged regarding the management of picky eating.

Summary

Picky eating is a descriptive term with greater emerging clarity about its core characteristics and associations. Research remains limited with ongoing difficulties related to lack of standardized assessment measures, and poor ability to differentiate between normal and clinically significant picky eating.