Prevalence of Feeding Problems in Children and Associated Factors—A Cross-Sectional Study among Polish Children Aged 2–7 Years

Białek-Dratwa, Agnieszka; Kowalski, Oskar

doi:10.3390/nu15143185

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 51 publications

(89 reference statements)

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“…In addition, summarising the results obtained in Part I of the study on the occurrence of feeding difficulties [34], it should be taken into account that breast milk feeding and the duration of CF in the study group did not affect the risk of feeding problems. Using the full BLW method during CF may protect the child from future feeding problems, such as food selectivity or picky eating.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first part of the results of this study has been published [34] and the results in this publication looked at the prevalence of feeding difficulties among children aged 2-7 years; the Montreal Children's Hospital Pediatric Feeding Program (MCH-FS) was used as the survey tool. Moreover, the results are available via the following link: https://www.mdpi.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Infant Complementary Feeding Methods and Subsequent Occurrence of Food Neophobia—A Cross-Sectional Study of Polish Children Aged 2–7 Years

Białek-Dratwa,

Kowalski

2023

Nutrients

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Food neophobia is standard behaviour in child development. It is a complex process and occurs to varying degrees. The symptoms of neophobia can be variable depending on the individual. Food neophobia is a fear of new foods, whereby difficulties in eating and trying unfamiliar foods follow. It is one of the more vital determinants of the number of meals consumed at a young age. Such a process is not a disorder in itself but can lead to one. The highest severity of neophobia occurs between the ages of two and six, but in some children, it lasts beyond age 6. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of food neophobia among children aged 2–7 years, taking into account the method of complementary feeding, the length of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, the period of introduction of complementary foods, and the use of the BLW method during the period of dietary expansion. Materials and methods: The study used an anonymous survey questionnaire consisting of five parts as the research tool. The first part of the questionnaire was a metric and concerned the socio-demographic data of the parent/guardian and their child. A standardised questionnaire assessing food neophobia among children was used to assess food neophobia: the Food Neophobia Scale—Children (FNSC). Results: In the study group, 171 children (29.23%) had a low risk of food neophobia according to the FNSC, 182 children (31.11%) had a medium risk of neophobia, and 232 children (39.66%) had a high risk of neophobia. A correlation was observed between the age and the risk of food neophobia (p = 0.0002). Statistically significant differences were found between children aged 2 and 4 (p = 0.003) and children aged 2 and 5 years (p = 0.049). We observed no correlation between gagging (p = 0.88557), choking (p = 0.17597), and needing medical intervention (p = 0.61427) and the risk of associated neophobia. Conclusion: In the study group of children, the highest risk of food neophobia was characterized by children aged 4, 5, and 7 years. The length of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding did not affect the risk of food neophobia. In the month in which complementary feeding (CF) was introduced, the children were fed using the baby-led weaning method (BLW method), and introducing puree and puree with lump food into the children’s diet also did not affect the risk of food neophobia. It was shown, however, that children whose mothers observed difficulties during CF and whose children had a vomiting reflex and spat food out of their mouths during CF were more likely to develop food neophobia at the preschool age.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infant Complementary Feeding Methods and Subsequent Occurrence of Food Neophobia—A Cross-Sectional Study of Polish Children Aged 2–7 Years

Białek-Dratwa,

Kowalski

2023

Nutrients

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“…The only inclusion criterion was the class of age. Children's health status and lifestyle aspects were not used as inclusion/exclusion criteria in consideration of the fact that FN influences food habits and behaviors, nutrient intake, and, in some cases, anthropometric parameters and is less related to other conditions [49][50][51].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Food Neophobia Occurrence in Children: A Study Carried out in Italy

Di Nucci,

Pilloni,

Scognamiglio

et al. 2023

Nutrients

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Food Neophobia (FN), defined as the reluctance to eat new or unfamiliar foods, mainly concerns fruit, vegetables, and legumes, typical of the Mediterranean Diet (MD). Considering these premises, this study aimed to clarify the relationship between FN and AMD in a sample of Italian children and their association with some socio-demographic factors and children’s nutritional status. A sample of 288 children aged 3–11 years participated in an assessment carried out with a questionnaire evaluating FN and AMD, respectively, with the Child Food Neophobia Scale (CFNS) and the KIDMED test. Most of the sample showed an intermediate (67.3%) or high level of FN (18.1%), with high rates among 6–11-year-old children (63.9%) and especially in those who were the only child (50%). The AMD was mostly low (29.5%) or medium (54.8%) and reached lower levels among higher neophobic children (51.9%; p value < 0.05). The present results confirm the study hypothesis that FN is a driver of MD abandonment and shows the positive effects on children’s eating habits and siblings. Finally, this study proves the relevance of adopting effective feeding strategies against FN to avoid its maintenance in adulthood and the detrimental effects on future overall health and well-being.

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“…How does feeding your child affect your family relationships? [35][36][37]. The MCH-FS consists of 14 items covering the following feeding characteristics: oral motility (8 and 11), oral sensory (7 and 8) and appetite (3 and 4).…”

Section: Research Toolmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complementary Feeding Methods, Feeding Problems, Food Neophobia, and Picky Eating among Polish Children

Białek-Dratwa,

Kowalski

2023

Children

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Proper nutrition during the first period of life is primarily related to meeting energy needs and providing essential nutrients that ensure the infant’s normal physical and psychomotor development. Improper nutrition during this period, inadequate amounts of nutrients, inappropriate timing and manner of introduction of individual foods, can permanently alter metabolism and the course of physiological processes, increasing the risk of diseases such as obesity, allergic diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to verify how the method of complementary feeding influences the occurrence of food neophobia between 2 and 7 years of age, as well as to assess the different nutritional aspects resulting from the process of starting feeding other than breast milk and milk formula. In this study, 490 mothers and their children aged 2–7 years participated. The research tool was a questionnaire consisting of a child’s dietary assessment and standardized questionnaires assessing food neophobia among children: Food Neophobia Scale for Children (FNSC) and the Montreal Children’s Hospital-Pediatric Feeding (MCH-FS). In the study group of children, 238 (48.57%) had no Baby-Led Weaning Method (no BLW) method used during complementary feeding (CF), and 252 (51.42%) children used Baby-Led Weaning Method (BLW). According to the FNSC questionnaire, a high risk of food neophobia was found in 32.65% of the children studied and a medium risk in 39.80%. The medium risk of feeding problem occured in 11.63% of children, the high risk in 6.73% of children, and the highest risk in 6.94% (MCH-FS). No statistically significant differences were observed between the BLW and NoBLW groups. High risk of food neophobia occured in 1/3 of the children studied, but there was no relationship in the study group between the mode of CF (BLW/NoBLW) and the risk of food neophobia.

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Prevalence of Feeding Problems in Children and Associated Factors—A Cross-Sectional Study among Polish Children Aged 2–7 Years

Cited by 6 publications

References 51 publications

Infant Complementary Feeding Methods and Subsequent Occurrence of Food Neophobia—A Cross-Sectional Study of Polish Children Aged 2–7 Years

Infant Complementary Feeding Methods and Subsequent Occurrence of Food Neophobia—A Cross-Sectional Study of Polish Children Aged 2–7 Years

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Food Neophobia Occurrence in Children: A Study Carried out in Italy

Complementary Feeding Methods, Feeding Problems, Food Neophobia, and Picky Eating among Polish Children

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