Feeding Issues Among Preschoolers With Developmental Concerns and Risks From a Developmental Pediatrics Perspective: A Cross-Sectional Study From an Eurasian Country

This study sought to examine the association between feeding difficulties and the developmental and behavioral profiles of preschool children (n = 102) with developmental risks referred to a developmental pediatrics clinic. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire, the Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social-Emotional, the Child Behavior Checklist, and the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS) were utilized for all participants. A multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant association between feeding issues and behavioral problems, whereas no such relationship was found with developmental domains. Positive correlations were observed across all behavioral problems and BPFAS subscales. The literature on children’s feeding issues is varied, focusing on those with severe developmental delays or neurodevelopmental disorders. However, rising admissions for milder delays, particularly in developing countries, underscore the need for comprehensive intervention. It is crucial to address these children’s feeding problems by considering medical, developmental, and particularly behavioral factors, given nutrition’s critical role in growth and development.