Picky Eating in Preschoolers and their Health Status and Intakes of Food Groups and Nutrients at Dinner Time

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the relationships between picky eating in preschoolers and their health status, along with their intakes of food groups and nutrients at dinner time.

Methods: In December 2018, a primary online survey was conducted, targeting mothers with preschoolers. A secondary survey, requiring dietary records by means of photographs, was conducted on applicants from March to May, 2019. Data of preschoolers' picky eating, health status, and demographics from the first survey, and their intakes of food groups and nutrients at dinner time from the second survey, were examined. We explored differences among three groups of preschoolers, divided by tertile scores with regard to picky eating, using the chi-squared test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and multiple comparisons.

Results: Total 1,899 mothers completed the primary survey, and the eating habits of 118 preschoolers were included in the analysis of the secondary survey. The tertile scores of picky eating were 14 and 17 points, and participants were divided into low picky (n = 614, 32.3%), middle picky (n = 708, 37.3%) and high picky (n = 577, 30.4%). In the low picky group, there were more participants who were less likely to have a fever, catch a cold and get tired (p < 0.001 for each). Preschoolers in the high picky group consumed less vegetables (p = 0.016). There was, however, no difference in nutrient intake among the three groups.

Conclusions: Preschoolers who were not picky eaters had good health status. Picky eaters tended to have a low intake of vegetables at dinner time. Their intake of nutrients was, however, not affected by their picky eating.