Picky eating can be hard to manage and often has a bad reputation, however, this does not necessarily mean it will impact a child’s development. It is common for toddlers to go through a period of picky eating while they are growing, which can be stressful for parents as it may worry them for problems in the future. According to a study, 300 children who identified as picky eaters during toddlerhood were compared to 900 other children that did not. It was found that there was no difference in BMI. A slight difference was found in different nutritional levels such as zinc, iron, and carotene, but it was not at a level of concern over the children’s health.
Though, picky eating may seem like a behavior that may impact a child’s development, it is not anything to truly worry about. Every individual has a different taste, and if a child is getting the nutrients they need in a healthy way, it truly is not something to worry about.
To read more on picky eating, click here!
Mikayla Clemens
Research Assistant, UConn KIDS
