It s difficult to define picky eating, because all individuals show rejection behaviour for certain foods. However, if the rejection is consistent and over a broad category of foods, that person may be described as a picky eater. Picky eating may have detrimental effects because balance to a diet allows the incorporation of a wide range of nutrients through a wide range of foods, and picky eating may limit particular nutrients through its limited food choices. This relates to the fact that certain nutrients are more concentrated in some foods, and so avoidance of foods that are the main source of one particular nutrient may create a deficiency of that nutrient. Research suggest that picky eaters eat a more limited range of foods compared to non-picky eaters, and the intakes of micronutrients and other non-essential but health providing nutrients, may therefore be of concern in this group. A number of studies have investigated the nutrient intakes of picky eaters in comparison to those who show a more broad dietary intake.
Picky eating can be defined by food avoidance involving a reasonably large number of common foods. Evidence suggests that picky eaters may be at higher risk of certain micronutrient deficiencies, particularly zinc and iron. However, their macronutrient intakes are not different from non-picky eaters, although they obtain these micronutrients from a narrower range of foods.
For example, in one study researchers assessed the nutritional intake of young children aged between 3 and 7 years, and estimated their food intake from a 3-day food diary. From this the researchers identified picky eaters and compared their nutritional intake with non-picky eaters. The results of the study showed that generally the macronutrient (protein, carbohydrate and fat) intake of the picky versus non-picky eaters did not differ, however, the picky eaters obtained their macronutrients from a narrower range of foods. When the researchers assessed intake of micronutrients they found that picky eaters were more likely to have lower intakes of both iron and zinc. Therefore evidence suggests that picky eaters may be at a higher risk of developing certain micronutrient deficiencies compared to non-picky eaters. Obviously the particular type of nutrient deficiency would depend on the food that are avoided, but this study clearly shows that generally this relates to both iron and zinc.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB
