Have a picky eater? It may be a sign of an eating disorder

WATCH ABOVE: Have a picky eater? It may be the sign of an eating disorder

Many children can be picky eaters. Some avoid certain foods because of taste, other avoid certain foods because of texture.

It seems like a normal part of childhood that they eventually grow out of.

In rare cases, however, avoiding foods can be a sign of a much more serious condition called Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake disorder or ARFID.

READ MORE: Doctors urged to look for eating disorder

“That really does compromise their growth and their development,” said Dr. Debra Katzman of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

ARFID is a relatively new category of eating disorder but quite different from Anorexia and Bulimia because it’s not driven by body image and weight loss.

It’s often driven by physiological and psychological factors like fear and anxiety stemming from past experiences.

“One example of a young person who might have ARFID is a young person who has choked on some food and as a result of that is afraid to eat solid foods,” said Katzman.

The disorder can develop in patients of all ages but more research into the exact cause and treatment are currently being done.

What is known is that avoiding certain foods over a long period of time can negatively impact a patient’s growth and weight and can lead to serious health problems caused by nutrient-deficient diets. If parents notice these changes in their children they should seek treatment.

Currently that would include family and behavioural therapy. Teaching children about the importance of a healthy diet may also be helpful for parents and children.

“Take them grocery shopping with you, help them choose the menu, let them cook with you,” said dietician Cara Rosenbloom.

“If they’re picky they’re going to be more likely to try the food that they had a hand in preparing.”

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Naturopathic doctor and mother of four Mary Choi says her children have healthy appetites but knows their tastes change constantly.

“It can go day by day, meal to meal. What they like changes all the time,” said Choi.

The key is to be in tune with what your children are eating and what they’re avoiding.

If it starts to affect their development, Dr. Katzman suggests flagging it with your child’s pediatrician.