I find the subject of taste preferences in young children interesting primarily because I am the parent of a 3 1/2 year old daughter. Her food choices have been made exclusively by her mom and I, and we have not given her any foods that are too sweet or salty. But as she is exposed to other meals outside our home she is beginning to exhibit an aversion to green veggies (imagine that). I am concerned that she will become deficient in some valuable nutrients, or lose her taste for them altogether. Every meal has become a battle of wills, and I rarely win because I don't want to create a situation in which she finds mealtimes stressful. Or worse yet makes food a way of gaining personal control, resulting in eating disorders later in life. These concerns may be overblown, and I know that the likelihood of her becoming malnourished is slim, but parents worry. What do you think are the causes of eating disorders in teen girls? Can the experiences of early life carry over to cause problems later?
The causes of eating disorders - that's a big question. There are a lot of things that lead to that in my opinion. Certainly we can look at Western ideals of weight, of a propensity towards the development of anxiety disorders, and at particular types of early experiences. But turning down veggies as the age of 3? Totally normal, if frustrating.
And what is the best thing you can do as a parent? In my opinion, offer healthy foods, don't turn food into a battle, and keep your kids active.
By the way, a great book on food issues in toddlers is Ellyn Satter's Child of Mine.
I am experiencing something similar with my nearly 3-year-old daughter. She used to eat every veggie under the sun. She would let out a delighted squeal and clap at the sight of broccoli. Really. Not so much the case now.
I'm wondering if habituation plays a part in veggie refusal. Like, "Oh man. Broccoli again!?" Especially if they know that there exist tastier options. I notice that when I switch up the veggies--from say, cauliflower to sweet potatoes--she's more receptive. Also, when I change from offering cooked veggies (broccoli) to fresh (carrots) she enjoys it more. And maybe climate plays a factor? For example hot, steamed root veggies are more desirable in winter, and fresh cool ones (cucumbers, carrots, snap peas) are better for summer.
And while, unlike my childhood, I think it's best if kids learn to develop a taste for veggies sans butter or ranch dressing, I'm not against 'disguising' veggies in other foods. For example, I used to make Mac & Cheese with pureed sweet potatoes and kale. It's actually pretty delicious! And multi-vitamins provide a good 'insurance policy' for some of those more elusive vitamins and minerals.
I learned in another class that anorexia can be heritable. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18485259 Also, here's a link to a feminist critique on eating disorders: http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=_EOwSAF61G4C&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=feminist+critiques+of+anorexia&ots=bjRuHg03zv&sig=VNnxQhEh8oYbaYy_z_xgNXC5A3s#v=onepage&q&f=false
Finally, I'm wondering how the evolutionary perspective would explain a disorder like anorexia. I'm more of a systems theory person, so I'm curious as to how evolutionary theorists would frame this particular condition.
I find the subject of taste preferences in young children interesting primarily because I am the parent of a 3 1/2 year old daughter. Her food choices have been made exclusively by her mom and I, and we have not given her any foods that are too sweet or salty. But as she is exposed to other meals outside our home she is beginning to exhibit an aversion to green veggies (imagine that). I am concerned that she will become deficient in some valuable nutrients, or lose her taste for them altogether. Every meal has become a battle of wills, and I rarely win because I don't want to create a situation in which she finds mealtimes stressful. Or worse yet makes food a way of gaining personal control, resulting in eating disorders later in life. These concerns may be overblown, and I know that the likelihood of her becoming malnourished is slim, but parents worry. What do you think are the causes of eating disorders in teen girls? Can the experiences of early life carry over to cause problems later?
ReplyDeleteAdam Peck: Psychology 311u student
The causes of eating disorders - that's a big question. There are a lot of things that lead to that in my opinion. Certainly we can look at Western ideals of weight, of a propensity towards the development of anxiety disorders, and at particular types of early experiences. But turning down veggies as the age of 3? Totally normal, if frustrating.
ReplyDeleteAnd what is the best thing you can do as a parent? In my opinion, offer healthy foods, don't turn food into a battle, and keep your kids active.
By the way, a great book on food issues in toddlers is Ellyn Satter's Child of Mine.
http://www.amazon.com/Child-Mine-Feeding-Love-Sense/dp/0923521518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274298181&sr=8-1
Best, Gabi
Adam,
ReplyDeleteI am experiencing something similar with my nearly 3-year-old daughter. She used to eat every veggie under the sun. She would let out a delighted squeal and clap at the sight of broccoli. Really. Not so much the case now.
I'm wondering if habituation plays a part in veggie refusal. Like, "Oh man. Broccoli again!?" Especially if they know that there exist tastier options. I notice that when I switch up the veggies--from say, cauliflower to sweet potatoes--she's more receptive. Also, when I change from offering cooked veggies (broccoli) to fresh (carrots) she enjoys it more. And maybe climate plays a factor? For example hot, steamed root veggies are more desirable in winter, and fresh cool ones (cucumbers, carrots, snap peas) are better for summer.
And while, unlike my childhood, I think it's best if kids learn to develop a taste for veggies sans butter or ranch dressing, I'm not against 'disguising' veggies in other foods. For example, I used to make Mac & Cheese with pureed sweet potatoes and kale. It's actually pretty delicious!
And multi-vitamins provide a good 'insurance policy' for some of those more elusive vitamins and minerals.
I learned in another class that anorexia can be heritable. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18485259
Also, here's a link to a feminist critique on eating disorders: http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=_EOwSAF61G4C&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=feminist+critiques+of+anorexia&ots=bjRuHg03zv&sig=VNnxQhEh8oYbaYy_z_xgNXC5A3s#v=onepage&q&f=false
Finally, I'm wondering how the evolutionary perspective would explain a disorder like anorexia. I'm more of a systems theory person, so I'm curious as to how evolutionary theorists would frame this particular condition.
-Angela Leonardo, Human Development Student