According to a 2010 study, conducted by Anthony Mascola of Stanford University School of Medicine, involving 120 children aged 2 to 11, 13-22 percent kids were reported to be picky eaters. Another study – headed by Luby J.L., Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, and published by PubMed Central in 2009 – concluded that depression is an illness that can strike as young as three-year-old kids. Even though the problem of selective eating is common, it can be associated with impairment in emotional, physical, and social domains.
Children making a fuss over food at the dining table is a phenomenon witnessed across the globe. To make their kids eat parents often give in to their demands and feed them whatever they want. But ignoring the picky eating habit of your child can be dangerous as it is not as simple as it appears to be. Studies have suggested that picky eating habit in children is linked to higher probability of depression in later years.
Selective eating linked to depression
According to a study by Nancy Zucker, director of the Duke Center for Eating Disorders, published in journal American Academy of Pediatrics, selective eating can be associated with deeper set of symptoms related to brain. A sample size of 917 children aged 24 to 71 months and designated caregiver were recruited in Duke Children’s Pediatric Primary Care Clinics. The screening was conducted from January 2007 to October 2010, followed by a diagnostic interview regarding children’s eating patterns. The moderate and severe cases of selective eating were shown to be associated with psychopathological symptoms like anxiety, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Talking to the Wall Street Journal, Zucker highlighted the concerns of parents whose children are extremely finicky and need to seek professional help. Since the kids may not simply outgrow the behavior, she intends to warn patients to be careful of their moods and reactions while eating that may have a relation with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Being extremely sensitive to taste, to smell, to texture, to visual clues like light, children may respond to food according to their state of mind.
The sample size showed that 3 percent kids faced severe selective eating problems and could not eat along with others. This percentage was more than twice as likely to have problems of depression or social anxiety. However, the group with moderate levels of selective eating problems showed increased likelihood of psychiatric diagnoses.
Tracking kid’s food habits
The concern lies in the fact what is the cause of the 17 percent children who were under the less extreme case. They still showed reluctance to some foods and may develop a stronger averseness later in life. It's better not to disrupt kids while eating food as the battle over meals can prolong leading to serious selective eating disorder.
It is important to ensure that your kid’s brain is happy and healthy. If you are in Texas and feel that selective eating is taking a toll on your child’s health, you may consult specialists at any of the depression treatment centers in Texas. You may also opt for a therapy session at one of the Texas depression treatment centers.
The depression treatment center in Texas can provide referrals to mental health professionals specializing in helping youths with mental illnesses, including depression and anxiety. You can also call the Texas Depression Treatment Helpline number at 866-827-0282 for further information.
