Title:
Food selectivity in childhood: should be concerned about it?

Authors:
Luiz Antonio Del Ciampo, IedaReginaLopesDel Ciampo, Brazil

Abstract:

Eating is a human experience that involves the integration of senses, motor skills and cognition that, in addition to satisfying the need to maintain life, is associated with coexistence and pleasure. Eating habits are influenced by genetic, social, ethnic, economic, cultural and religious factors, which begin early, and variations in appearance, texture, taste, mouthfeel and smell influence the way a child accepts or rejects food. An important aspect for understanding characteristics related to a child's eating is knowing how the human brain's sensory integration system works, which captures stimuli, sends them to the brain, which processes, integrates, synthesizes and uses the information to formulate appropriate responses. When any phase is altered, the responses can compromise language, learning, behavior or sensor motor development. Since sensory factors are influential determinants of eating behavior, this article, in the form of a narrative review, presents the main characteristics of three conditions commonly observed among children: food selectivity, food neophobia and picky eating, highlighting their causal factors, possible repercussions on the child and the family, as well as some guidelines on ways to understand and deal with these behaviors.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.51505/ijmshr.2025.9314