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Factors associated with the early emergence of atypical feeding behaviours in infants and young children: A scoping review
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Factors associated with the early emergence of atypical feeding behaviours in infants and young children: A scoping review

Asmita Mudholkar, Larissa Korostenski, Dianne Blackwell and Alison E Lane
Child : Care, Health & Development, Vol.49(1), pp.1-19
2023
PMCID: PMC10084441
PMID: 35301737
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Child - 2022 - Mudholkar - Factors associated with the early emergence of atypical feeding behaviours in infants and young612.11 kBDownloadView
Published Version Open Access CC BY-NC-ND V4.0
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https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.13005View
Published Version

Abstract

feeding behaviours Review feeding difficulties young children infancy early-onset Feeding UniSC Diversity Area - Life Stages
Atypical feeding behaviours such as significantly limited food preferences, hypersensitivity to food textures or temperatures and pocketing food without swallowing are common concerns in child health. Current reports indicate an inter-relationship between early growth, feeding problems and developmental disorders, yet little is known about how these behaviours develop in early childhood. There is also a lack of consensus about clinical definitions for atypical feeding behaviours, diagnostic thresholds, and the associated precursors. To date, there has been no synthesis of the extant literature about factors associated with the early onset of atypical feeding behaviours in young children.This scoping review aimed to characterise the factors associated with the early emergence of atypical feeding behaviours in typically developing young children. CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Scopus databases were searched. Studies published in the last five years were included if they examined factors associated with the development of atypical eating behaviours in infants and young children. Of the 2137 records obtained after the search strategy was applied, 202 full-text articles were retrieved for a more detailed examination and to ensure they met the inclusion criteria. This resulted in 54 studies being included in this scoping review.Of the 54 studies, three studies analysed precursors responsible for atypical feeding behaviours, and 51 studies discussed the factors associated with the early emergence of feeding difficulties. Multiple factors, including genetic factors, breastfeeding, late introduction of solids and lumpy foods, complementary feeding techniques, parental mental health, prematurity, and child factors including temperament, were identified. There is inconsistent evidence for the associations between breastfeeding exposure and feeding difficulties. This study identified multiple factors potentially associated with the early onset of atypical feeding behaviours in young children; however, there is insufficient evidence at this time to support specific recommendations for early feeding practices in young children. More methodologically rigorous studies are needed to extend these findings.

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Domestic collaboration
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Pediatrics
Psychology, Developmental

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#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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