Feeding Problems among Typically Developing Children from India Aged 1 to 5: A Cross-sectional Study

Objective:Feeding problems in typically developing children (TDCs) are quite common in early childhood and are of great concern for parents, as they significantly impact nutritional intake and overall health. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of feeding difficulties in typically developing children from India aged 1 to 5 years using the Kannada version of the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS).Method:Data were gathered from 253 parents of typically developing children via a purposive sampling method. The parents completed a self-reported demographic questionnaire and a Kannada version of the BPFAS.Results:The survey analyzed the responses of 124 (49%) male and 129 (51%) female children. According to the BPFAS cutoff scores, the prevalence of feeding difficulties among TDCs in the study was 28.9% (n = 73) (TFS >84) and 18.2% (n = 46) (TPS >9). Even though a higher percentage of children exhibited negative feeding behaviors, very few parents considered these behaviors problematic for them. Furthermore, analysis revealed a weak negative correlation between BMI and TFS and TPS scores (Pearson r values of -0.027 [p = 0.669] for the TFS score and -0.049 [p = 0.436] for the TPS score).Conclusion:The present study reveals a higher prevalence of parent-perceived feeding issues in young, typically developing children from India. This highlights the necessity of educating Indian parents about feeding issues in young children, their potential long-term consequences, and the need for early intervention.