Hellobee Boards

I just saw this as well - my DS has anxiety issues and is getting pickier and pickier as he gets older

@looch: I agree that this may be a good thing too. At least it might make parents with picky eaters a little more aware of the signs of anxiety and depression and kids might be able to get positive treatment before more serious issues arise.

Interesting, thanks for sharing.

@BabyBoecksMom: I've always been a great eater, but I've also always been really anxious!

My brother and I were both picky eaters growing up and we've both dealt with anxiety and depression. But my sister was super adventurous with eating and also deals with anxiety.

@mrbee: So, I skimmed through the actual study, but I wish they better defined "selective eating." For example, the report said that they didn't count it as selective eating if the child refused "typical" childhood dislikes such as cruciferous vegetables. So, if my child likes broccoli but not hot dogs, what does that mean? How many foods do they have to eat or not eat to be considered normal, moderate, or severe? Maybe there was a table I missed with that information...I feel like more detail about their parameters would make their findings more useful.

Awesome because parents need one more thing to stress about lol.

FWIW I was an incredibly picky eater as a child, am still a very picky eater as an adult, and I have never had anxiety or depression issues (or any other mental illness).

@Pancakes: I'm assuming that they mean selective eating to the point that it could be considered a selective eating disorder. I did a quick google search and here's an article that shows some of the key differences. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bustle/picky-eating-an-eating-disorder-living-with-selective-eating-disorder-and-no-vegetables_b_4986010.html

When selective eating disorder first started to be studied and these sort of articles first started to be released I had SO MANY friends and family members sending links asking if I'd seen it, because it described me exactly - I'm very picky, have a huge problem with textures, basically see foods I don't like as inedible and won't touch them no matter how hungry I am, a crazy sensitive gag reflex, and obviously it has lasted into adulthood. And unfortunately I do suffer from depression type issues as well.

Interesting- and I'm sure a little upsetting for parents of picky eaters! The opening paragraph describes my one sister to a T- she literally ate the same thing for lunch for years. Her foods on her plate could not touch. She would throw a tantrum if asked to clear the plates from the table that had food she didn't like on them. And she was diagnosed with ADHD and suffers from anxiety.

I'm glad there was an emphasis that it's not cause and effect though- parents have plenty to feel guilty about.