Neophobia—A Natural Developmental Stage or Feeding Difficulties for Children?

Abstract

Food neophobia is the tendency to reject or be reluctant to try new and unfamiliar foods. Due to the period of its occurrence, which falls in the years of early childhood, it can significantly affect the child’s food choices, shape taste preferences, and significantly influence the quality of the child’s diet. The neophobic attitude has an important evolutionary significance because it protects the individual from ingesting potentially dangerous substances. On the other hand, it fosters avoidance behaviors that can also relate to the beneficial aspects of obtaining and consuming food. Currently, the strong emphasis placed on food safety means that neophobia may be less adaptive; nevertheless, a conservative attitude toward new foods still prevails. There is a strong association between food neophobia and the diversity of a person’s diet and previous exposure to different foods. This review describes behaviors associated with food neophobia and analyzes other feeding and eating difficulties in children that should be differentiated from food neophobia. Management approaches affecting the reduction in food neophobia in children through various dietary and psychological interventions are also proposed.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on food habits and neophobia in children in the framework of the family context and parents’ behaviors: A study in an Italian central region

“…Deserving comment, however, is the observation that a high prevalence of children with an intermediate level of neophobia (78.4%) are among those with normal weight. These results are consistent with the literature that defines food neophobia as a natural stage of child development that does not impair growth rate ( 65 ). We could speculate that the ambivalence of the results of the studies comparing weight status and food neophobia depends on the parental feeding style.…”

Considerations for the translation of nutrient recommendations as dietary plans for infants, children, and adolescents as reported in Italian Guidelines for healthy eating

“…Compliance with the DRVs severely limits the acceptability and pleasantness of dietary plans with breakfasts and snacks that appear monotonous and repetitive. The issue of monotony is not only related to the acceptability; diversity of the diet and variety of foods offered to children are important to avoid selective food choices attitudes and neophobia ( 80 ). During the third year of life, most children enter a neophobic phase during which previously liked foods are no longer accepted and the introduction of new foods becomes difficult.…”

Picky eating or something more? Differentiating ARFID from typical childhood development

“…Risks for developing persistent food neophobia in children include anxiety, feelings of disgust toward food, parental pressure to consume foods, parental food neophobia, decreased exposure to novel foods, and sensory hyperresponsivity 7,8. Picky eating is considered developmentally typical during the period of time when children are identifying taste preferences, generally through toddlerhood, and food neophobia is also thought of as a natural part of development, arising from an instinct to protect against toxin ingestion 9,10. Children's picky eating—despite its place in typical development—is a common source of concern for parents or guardians, and pediatric clinicians are skilled at addressing this behavior via anticipatory guidance and basic nutrition education.…”