Picky eating behavior among preschool children aged 2 to 5 years. Picky eating is characterized by selective food intake, food refusal, limited dietary variety, and resistance to trying new foods. This condition may affect dietary diversity, nutritional adequacy, growth, and caregiver feeding practices. The study focuses on behavioral feeding difficulties in otherwise healthy children without diagnosed developmental disorders or chronic medical conditions affecting appetite or feeding. Picky ea
Conditions
Interventions
Participants allocated to the intervention group will receive standard outpatient management as described for the control group, plus a structured caregiver feeding logbook. The logbook is designed as
Experimental Behavioral,Active Comparator Behavioral
Caregiver feeding logbook,Standard care
Sponsors
Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
2 Years to 5 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Children aged 2 to 5 years attending the outpatient pediatric clinic. 2. Caregiver-reported picky eating behavior as identified during clinical assessment. 3. Newly presenting cases seeking evaluation or management for feeding concerns. 4. Child is medically stable and able to participate in outpatient follow-up. 5. Primary caregiver is responsible for daily feeding and able to complete study questionnaires and logbook entries. 6. Written informed consent provided by the parent or legal guardian.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Exclusion Criteria Child 1. Diagnosed autism spectrum disorder. Global developmental delay or significant cognitive impairment. other Neurological disorders affecting swallowing or feeding function. 2. Chronic systemic diseases that may influence appetite, growth, or nutritional status, including chronic renal, hepatic, cardiac, or endocrine disorders. 3. Current participation in another interventional study. Caregiver 1. Significant physical or mental health conditions that may limit active participation in study procedures 2. Caregivers of multiple-birth children (e.g., twins), where individualized feeding practices cannot be reasonably applied
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire total score Baseline and three months after enrollment Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire completed by the primary caregiver | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Dietary diversity score 2. Caregiver feeding related self efficacy score Baseline and three months after enrollment 1. 24 hour dietary recall interview conducted with the primary caregiver. 2. Caregiver completed self administered questionnaire assessing confidence in managing child feeding behavior. | — |
Countries
Thailand
Contacts
Public ContactNatthaya Chotsiriwat
Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University Address
Outcome results
None listed