Relationship between Solid Food Introduction and Picky Eating in the STRONG Kids 2 Cohort

Abstract

Picky eating is prevalent in toddlers and has been linked to infant feeding practices. Early introduction of solid food is associated with picky eating; however, the relationship with specific types of complementary food is unknown. The objective of this study was to examine associations between types of solid food introduced during infancy and picky eating behavior in children 18‐months of age. Participants were drawn from an ongoing STRONG Kids 2 birth cohort of mother‐infant dyads (current study n = 259, full sample n = 440). Mothers responded to survey questions about the type and amount of solid food introduced during infancy, the perception of their child's picky eating behaviors at 18‐months, and whether they breastfed or formula‐fed their child during the introduction to solids. Ordinal logistic regression (i.e., proportional odds model) was used to determine associations between types of solid food introduced and odds of picky eating, while controlling for child sex, race/ethnicity, age of introduction to solids, and mode of milk feeding. The introduction of sweets (e.g., ice cream and pudding), cereal, pureed fruit, and egg yolk were positively associated with parental perception of picky eating at 18‐months (all p<0.05). There was no association between parental perception of picky eating and the introduction of vegetables, meat, or dairy. Overall, our findings suggest that early exposure to various tastes and textures may influence the development of picky eating later in childhood. Further research is needed to determine the influence of the timing and type of solid food introduction on children's long‐term dietary variety and eating behavior.Support or Funding InformationSupported by National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2011‐67001‐30101 and the Dairy Research Institute.