Picky Eating Remains Consistent Through Childhood

Picky eating is a common and frustrating behavior in early childhood, but it is unclear whether it is a trait that lasts throughout childhood or resolves on its own with time.

In a longitudinal study, researchers examined trajectories of picky eating in about 300 low-income children, who are at higher risk for both obesity and picky eating. Mothers reported picky eating at each of 5 time points between ages 4 and 9 years, which was modeled into 3 main trajectories: persistent low picky eating (29%), persistent medium picky eating (57%), and persistent high picky eating (14%).

Girls and children with better emotion regulation and less emotional lability were more likely to be in the lower picky eating trajectory group. Children with persistent…