Picky eating is common and is linked to a risk of developmental difficulties

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-11-25 03:00

Australia; International; WA

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Many children are picky eaters, and international and Australian researchers have now estimated that between 6 and 18% of kids eat such a narrow range of foods that they have symptoms of avoidant/restrictive food intake (ARFI) disorder. The study of over 35,000 kids aged 3-8 also found that for around 2-3%, this restricted eating has clinically significant consequences, such as nutritional deficiencies. Kids impacted by avoidant/restrictive food intake also had an elevated risk of developmental difficulties, and the researchers found several genes which might be playing a role. The authors say there is a need for broad support interventions and a better understanding of the genetics involved.

Media release

From: JAMA

Prevalence, Characteristics, and Genetic Architecture of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Phenotypes
JAMA Pediatrics

About The Study: This cohort study found that the prevalence of avoidant/restrictive food intake in the general pediatric population was substantial, and affected children had an associated elevated risk of developmental difficulties across multiple domains. The findings suggest a need for broad support interventions and advance understanding of the genetic underpinnings of avoidant/restrictive food intake.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Pediatrics

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Curtin University, The University of Western Australia, University of Oslo, Norway

Funder: Drs Bjørndal, Hannigan, Ask, and Havdahl are supported by funding from the Norwegian South-East Regional Health Authority (Helse Sør-Øst; grant 2019097); Dr Corfield is supported by funding from the Norwegian South-East Regional Health Authority (Helse Sør-Øst; grant 2021045) and the Research Council of Norway (grant 274611) and is a member of the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, which is supported by the Medical Research Council and the University of Bristol (MC_UU_00032/1); Dr Hannigan is supported by funding from the Norwegian South-East Regional Health Authority (Helse Sør-Øst; grant 2022083); Dr Bulik is supported by the US National Institute of Mental Health (grants R01MH136149, R01MH134039, R56MH129437, R01MH120170, R01MH124871) and the Swedish Research Council (grant 538-2013-8864 and 2024-02450); DrWatson received support from the Foundation of Hope; Dr Dinkler is funded by the Swedish Society for Medical Research (SSMF, grant PG-22-0478); Dr Chawner is funded by a Medical Research Foundation (Fellowship MRF-058-0015-F-CHAW) and theWellcome Trust (Career Development Award 304028/Z/23/Z); and Dr Havdahl is supported by the Research Council of Norway (grant 336085), the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority (grant 2020022), and the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation program (FAMILY grant 101057529). The genotype data was provided by the HARVEST collaboration (supported by the Research Council of Norway grant 229624, the NORMENT Centre (RCN grant 223273, South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority [SENRHA], and Stiftelsen Kristian Gerhard Jebsen) in collaboration with deCODE Genetics and the Center for Diabetes Research at the University of Bergen (funded by the ERC AdG project SELECTionPREDISPOSED, Stiftelsen Kristian Gerhard Jebsen, Trond Mohn Foundation, the Research Council of Norway, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the University of Bergen, and the Western Norway Regional Health Authority).

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