Journal article
A qualitative inquiry of parents of extremely picky eaters: Experiences, strategies and future directions
Appetite, Vol.190, pp.1-10
2023
PMID: 37647989
Related media
Expert Quote
Parents the key to tackling kids’ picky eating: research findings
UniSC News (Julie Schomberg)Abstract
Background/aim:
Picky eating is a common childhood phenomenon in younger children, impacting family relationships and mealtimes. Limited qualitative studies have explored parents’ experiences of parenting an extremely picky eater. This study aimed to address this gap.
Methods:
This exploratory qualitative research design included participants who were Australian-based parents (n = 10) of children aged 2–6 years with a minimum picky eating score of 3.33, indicating extreme picky eating, on the Food Fussiness subscale of the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ). Parents were interviewed online via Zoom using semi-structured interviews focused on their experiences of having a child who is a picky eater. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.
Results:
Five themes were identified:
1. The picky eating journey for parents.
2. Picky eating impacts families and mealtimes.
3. Parents have attempted multiple strategies to manage picky eating.
4. Emotions associated with parenting an extremely picky eater.
5. Parents of extremely picky eaters have a positive outlook for the future.
Conclusion:
This qualitative study demonstrates that parents' experiences of parenting an extremely picky eater are varied. Parents desire health professionals who listen to their concerns and provide evidence-based knowledge around parent feeding practices to positively impact picky eating.
Details
- Title
- A qualitative inquiry of parents of extremely picky eaters: Experiences, strategies and future directions
- Authors
- Laine B Chilman (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Occupational TherapyPamela J Meredith (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Occupational TherapyNicole Southon (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Occupational TherapyAnn Kennedy-Behr (Author) - School of HealthThuy Frakking (Author) - School of HealthLibby Swanepoel (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Nutrition & DieteticsMichele Verdonck (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Occupational Therapy
- Publication details
- Appetite, Vol.190, pp.1-10
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107022
- ISSN
- 1095-8304
- PMID
- 37647989
- Organisation Unit
- Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics; School of Health - Occupational Therapy; Cancer Research Cluster; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99746896802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
163 Record Views
InCites Highlights
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Behavioral Sciences
- Nutrition & Dietetics
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Source: SDGs from InCites