ADULTS, TOO

In 2010, Duke Center for Eating Disorders Director Nancy Zucker, Ph.D., and her colleagues developed an online registry and lengthy survey for adult selective eaters. The survey was constructed to rule out bulimia, anorexia and obsessive compulsive disorder. The survey had 35,000 respondents.

“We learned many things from that survey,” says Zucker. “Adult selective eaters did self-report having been picky eaters as children. The study suggested that they reject food based on sensory qualities other than taste, such as not liking the look or smell of certain foods. It was more an issue of disgust for certain foods than anxiety about them.”

In Zucker’s experience, adult selective eaters tend to seek help when “their eating behavior is getting in the way

“Severely selective picky eaters are children whose eating has become so limited or selective that it’s starting to cause of their job or social life. And they also don’t want to be bad role models to their children.”

“At our center, we focus on helping adult selective eaters overcome their embarrassment,” says Zucker. “Through cognitive behavior therapy, we want them to feel validated about their own food preferences. We help them to become more comfortable with approaching certain foods.”

Zucker adds, “Any adult who thinks they might be a selective eater should talk to their physician about treatment options. Getting tested by an occupational therapist to rule out physical issues is a good first step. Seeking treatment from a cognitive behavioral therapist would also be a good choice. ” serious impairment,” says lead study author Nancy Zucker, Ph.D., director of the Duke Center for Eating Disorders. “Impairment can take many different forms. It can affect the child’s health, growth, social functioning and the parentchild relationship.”

Zucker notes that, “children who refuse to eat might have heightened senses, which can make the smell, texture and tastes of certain foods overwhelming, causing aversion and disgust.”

The key, according to Zucker, is intervention for high-risk children.

“Parents need to consult with their pediatricians on the best course of action. Some children may benefit from therapy, which may

Don’ts

include demystifying foods that cause anxiety through exposure,” says Zucker. “But traditional therapy methods may not address children with sensory sensitivities. Treatments also need to be better tailored to a patient’s age range. Our hope is that our research and those of others will spur new intervention protocols and treatments.”

› Don’t make special food just for the child.

› Don’t offer the child alternative foods to those on the table for the family.

› Don’t limit the menu to just food your child readily accepts.

› Don’t talk about your child’s food likes and dislikes.

› Don’t put pressure in any way on child’s eating.

› Don’t offer one food as a reward for eating another.

› Don’t make mealtimes a battle.