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Toddlers primed to be fussy eaters: expert

Maureen DettreAAP
A "perfect storm" of factors conspire to make fussy eaters out of toddlers, a nutritionist says.
Camera IconA "perfect storm" of factors conspire to make fussy eaters out of toddlers, a nutritionist says.

The physical and mental developments in toddlers creates the perfect storm to make them fussy eaters, a pediatric nutritionist says.

Dr Jennifer Cohen from the University of NSW who has been working in childhood nutrition for more than 15 years says it's normal for children to go through a fussy eating stage.

Up to 50 per cent of kids between one and two years old will be fussy eaters at some stage, with experts theorising it's because their physical growth has slowed.

A child's body at that stage was focused on mental development - talking, walking and becoming physically active, Dr Cohen said on Wednesday.

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Another theory is that while there is so much brain development going on, the sensory system almost shuts down.

"Because eating is such a sensory experience - involving taste, touch, smell, sound - if your brain is occupied with other tasks rather than the senses, food just doesn't taste as good or is not as enjoyable as it used to be," Dr Cohen said.

Between the ages of one to two a "perfect storm" of factors conspired to create fussy eaters, she said.

"To add to the changes going on in their body, we also have a toddler's assertiveness to consider: it's like trying to get your child dressed and to put their shoes on - the more you want them to do it, the less likely they're going to comply," she said.

It's not unusual for a child who used to eat everything to suddenly become a fussy eater at one to two years of age.

If a child is eating fewer than 20 different foods or if they are removing entire food groups, such as vegetables or meat, they are considered fussy eaters.

"There are many reasons for fussy eating but for kids who are fussy from day one, there are more likely to be other factors at play."

Dr Cohen said about 10 per cent of children remained picky eaters into adulthood.

"It can become a problem if it turns into food aversion and that leads to food phobia ... and to reverse that is very difficult," she said.

The good news for parents is it's rare for fussy eating to hinder a child's growth, with most consuming enough calories - they're just not getting it from a good variety of food.

Dietitians usually detected nutrient deficiencies before they developed into a bigger problem, advising multivitamin supplements.

Dr Cohen said it was also important for parents to remember that fussy eating couldn't be dealt with overnight.

"Reversing fussy eating takes a lot of time and a lot of patience. There's no quick fix."

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