Odds of fussy eating are greater among children with obesity and anxiety

• Published in: Obesity Science & Practice
• Main Authors: Sigrun Thorsteinsdottir, Anna S. Olafsdottir, Berglind Brynjolfsdottir, Ragnar Bjarnason, Urdur Njardvik
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2022
• Subjects: anxiety; children; fussy eating; obesity; psychopathology; Internal medicine; RC31-1245; Iceland
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.548; https://doaj.org/article/f4f8ef22a87d45e0ab4d6fe23610a9bd

Abstract Background Fussy eating has been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention‐deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression. Despite these disorders being prevalent in obesity treatment, no studies have been published on the association of fussy eating in children with obesity and these disorders. Understanding fussy eating in children with obesity and comorbid disorders is important as acceptance of healthy foods tends to be low, especially in children with sensory sensitivities. Objectives Investigate the prevalence of fussy eating in a cross‐sectional sample of children with obesity and ASD, ADHD, anxiety, and depression; and whether they were more likely to be fussy eaters, comparing those with and without these disorders. Methods One hundred and four children referred to family‐based obesity treatment in Iceland 2011–2016, mean age 12.0 (SD = 3.0), mean body mass index standard deviation score 3.5 (SD = 0.9). Binary logistic regression was used to estimate the relationship between fussy eating and disorders, adjusting for medication use. Results A large minority (41.6%) were fussy eaters and 48.9% had at least one comorbid disorder. Over a third of children rejected bitter and sour tastes, and 1.9% and 7.9% rejected sweet and salty tastes, respectively. Compared with those without disorders, the odds of being a fussy eater were increased by a factor of 4.11 when having anxiety (95% confidence intervals) (1.02–16.58, p = 00.046), adjusting for medication use. The odds of being a fussy eater were not increased for other disorders; ASD, ADHD, or depression. Conclusions In children attending obesity treatment, fussy eating was common. Clinical care models in pediatric obesity treatment should address fussy eating, especially in children with anxiety.