The aim is to find out: (1) whether there are features of early life and feeding that predict later picky eating: (2) whether there are long-term changes in the diet of children known to be picky eaters as pre-schoolers; and (3) whether this has consequences for health and development.

CACH Team: Caroline Taylor, Pauline Emmett

We used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), to identify children who were picky eaters at age 3 years through a questionnaire completed by parents. We looked at what features of the parents and particularly early feeding that made it more likely that a child would be a picky eater. We found that if the child was a choosy eater as an infant, and the parent worried about it, then it was more likely that the child would be a picky eater later on. We found some differences in the diets of picky compared with non-picky children, particularly low intakes of fruits and vegetables, that persisted into early adolescence. However, the children grew normally. We’re using these findings to help with the development of advice and information for parents and health carers.