ABSTRACT
Selective eating, faddiness or 'picky' eating is a common behavioural problem in young children. It is often transient and short-lived, with food preferences altering every few weeks or lasting for a few months at most. Severe selective eating in young children is not well described in the clinical literature as it does not fit into existing diagnostic categories. It is often included in general samples of children treated as food refusers. In a large British retrospective population study, 4% of 5-year-olds were described as being 'faddy' by their parents. There was an equal prevalence in boys and girls. Around 30% of the faddy eaters had feeding problems as a baby. Parents frequently report early onset under the age of 2 years in pre-school children. Severe selective eating exists in the adult population but it is not clear whether this originated in early childhood or infancy.
