Study: Picky Eating Linked to Social Anxieties, Depression

About 20 percent of kids are picky eaters, snubbing their nose at all but a select list of foods. For most kids, it’s simply a phase they’ll grow out of, but for some it can be an indication of larger mental health issues. A recent study of kids ages 2 to 6 from the Duke University Center for Eating Disorders shows that picky eaters are more prone to social anxiety and depression. We discuss the implications of picky eating and strategies for encouraging children to expand their tastes.