London: Young children who cannot control themselves when they see or smell food are twice as likely to develop eating problems as teenagers, a study has found.
Researchers at University College London and Erasmus University Rotterdam found that four- or five-year-olds who were picky eaters were twice as likely to develop binge eating problems a decade later. were
Conversely, children who spaced out their meals felt full sooner and were less likely to have binge eating or emotional eating (using food to cope with emotions) later in life. were
Experts said that although some of the risks were genetic, a healthy food environment and a parent-supervised meal plan could help reduce the chances.
In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers looked at the role of appetite characteristics in early childhood and its relationship with eating problems.
In the study, scientists analyzed data from parents of 3,670 children in the UK and the Netherlands, which included factors such as children’s enjoyment of food, avoidance of food, speed while eating and feelings of overeating.
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