Food neophobia: when children do not like to try new foods

Children's appetite and eating behavior is one of the most frequent reasons for parents' concern. In fact, it is one of the most common causes of consultation with a pediatrician, according to Rosaura Leis, professor of Pediatrics at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) and coordinator of the Nutrition and Breastfeeding Committee (CNyLM) of the Spanish Association. of Pediatrics (AEP). Although it must be taken into account that, as stated in the article

of 2016, the last published by the Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics (AEPap), “eating well or badly is a relative concept that is influenced by social norms and the perceptions and beliefs of the different members of the family (.. .) That is why on many occasions children's appetite and eating behavior are a cause of concern for parents.”

This reaction could be due to the fact that they have food neophobia, that is, “the refusal that some children have to eat new foods, especially around the second year, when they are incorporated into the family table,” in the words of Leis. The expert states that around 20-40% of parents report eating difficulties with their children, little interest in food, slowness and selectivity for some foods. According to dietitian and nutritionist Elena Toledano, neophobia is a common phenomenon that normally constitutes a mild and transitory problem and that has a lot in common with

that is, picky, selective children with little appetite. Of course, they are not the same.

Although food neophobia has no specific cause, Toledano understands that it corresponds to a normal physiological stage that children can go through at some point after weaning and that usually reaches its peak between two and six years of age, to decrease. around that age. “It is known that there is a very early link between food neophobia and breastfeeding,” continues the nutritionist, “a learning door for the acquisition of a wide range of flavors that have been previously ingested by the mother, which means that “It will help the later acceptance of new foods and the preference of these flavors in weaning foods.”

The foods that children most frequently reject in these early stages are fruits, vegetables and fish. The reason this is so is that the child is prepared for the sweet taste, while the other flavors - such as bitter or salty - have to be learned, according to Leis. To teach them, the expert recommends the introduction of complementary feeding following the pediatrician's advice, with a variety of foods and textures according to the development of the infant. If he or she rejects the flavors that are presented to him, Leis's advice is repeated exposure to those foods for which the child does not initially have a preference, trying to get him to try them in small quantities and in a relaxed environment, so enjoy and share with the family: “There are flavors that need to be tried up to 9 or 10 times to like them. It is not about forcing the intake, but about the food being on the family table and being tried repeatedly.”

Toledano also proposes letting them experience their own sensations of appetite and satiety and, when possible, letting them eat alone: ​​“This helps them feel in control of what they are eating. Forcing children to eat foods that they reject, as well as prohibiting those that we believe are not good, is not the solution in these cases, since the power struggle at the table upsets the child who is demanding when eating." “Most children love sources rich in carbohydrates, such as rice, pasta, potatoes… It is not negative that they love those foods, but that they end up displacing the others,” continues Toledano. That is why the dietitian recommends combining both food groups: "That is, serving the vegetables themselves with more energetic and protein foods, such as cereals, legumes, meats, fish and eggs."

All these ideas and recommendations are made to ensure that food does not focus only on the idea of ​​eating food. “It should be enjoyment and social relationship and the child has to be introduced to it, following the gastronomic and culinary traditions of their area,” explains Leis. “The family, parents and caregivers, and the school, together with the pediatrician, will play—and should play—a very important role in the acquisition of healthy lifestyles, in which nutrition is essential,” he adds.

When it becomes an eating disorder

Although food neophobia is generally temporary, it can sometimes degenerate into a serious mental health problem. Leis cites the report

published in 2020 in the journal

according to which 3% of children continue to have problems persistent with feeding beyond 6 years. “This gives rise to a functional, social and/or nutritional impact. In these cases, the child is considered to have an Eating Disorder [ARFID:

, a disorder that is part of the diagnostic group of eating disorders (ED).” , points out the professor of Pediatrics.

This pathology poses a risk of nutritional deficiencies and/or low weight and psychosocial impact. “For their diagnosis, they must present failure to meet nutritional and/or energy needs, which is demonstrated by significant weight loss,” continues Leis, “and/or deficiency of some nutrient, and/or need for nutritional supplements or special nutrition. and/or interference with psychosocial integration.”