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Nutrition in the Early Years: Feeding Challenges and Their Health Implications

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 January 2026 | Viewed by 3025

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Seng Hock Quak

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Guest Editor

Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Medical Dr, Singapore 117597, Singapore
Interests: fruit and vegetables; dietary intake; probiotics; children's health; gut health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Tammy S. H. Lim

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Guest Editor

Department of Paediatrics, National University Hospital, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block Level 12, Singapore 119228, Singapore
Interests: feeding difficulties in children; especially those on the autism spectrum

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Feeding challenges are common in children, and they present with a spectrum of severity. While “picky eating” in a typically developing child generally tends to improve with age, some feeding challenges may persist and may require more specialized medical attention, including multidisciplinary care. In the long run, these can lead to detrimental effects on the child’s growth and nutrition, as well as caregiver stress and damaged parent–child relationships.

With the development of the “Pediatric Feeding Disorder” framework in 2019, feeding challenges in children are now more clearly defined. I am hopeful that this will translate to more literature to guide us on the assessment and management of feeding challenges in children.

This Special Issue of Nutrients entitled “Nutrition in the Early Years: Feeding Challenges and Their Health Implications” welcomes original research and reviews of the literature concerning this important topic.

Dr. Seng Hock Quak
Dr. Tammy S. H. Lim
Guest Editors

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Keywords

feeding difficulties
pediatric feeding disorder
feeding practices
caregiver feeding style
growth
nutrition

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Research

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11 pages, 226 KB

Open AccessArticle

Occurrence and Correlates of Vitamin D and Iron Deficiency in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

by Magdalena Yvonne Koh, Audrey J. W. Lee, Hung Chew Wong and Ramkumar Aishworiya

Nutrients 2025, 17(17), 2738; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172738 - 23 Aug 2025

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to determine the occurrence of vitamin D and iron deficiency in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Singapore and identify correlates of the presence of these deficiencies, if any. Methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional, retrospective review of children with a diagnosis of autism, aged 1 to 10 years old, seen at a tertiary developmental paediatric centre from January 2018 to December 2022, with blood investigations completed. Autism diagnosis was determined either clinically by a developmental paediatrician using DSM-5 criteria or using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2). Children with genetic disorders and chronic medical conditions were excluded. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations with the deficiencies, and the Bonferroni method was applied on post hoc comparisons. Results: The overall sample comprised 241 children (79% males, mean age 4.2 years [SD 2.25]. There were 222 and 236 children who had blood investigations for vitamin D and iron levels performed, respectively. Out of the 222 children whose vitamin D tests were performed, 36.5% had vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency. Iron deficiency occurred in 37.7% for children who had their iron levels tested. There were 122 observations for both iron levels and complete blood count. Out of these, 19 (15.6%) had iron deficiency anaemia. There were no significant correlates for iron deficiency, with picky eating included. Conclusions: Vitamin D and iron deficiencies were common in this sample. Clinicians should consider testing for vitamin D and iron for children with ASD, especially for vitamin D in children of Indian ethnicity and older age. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in the Early Years: Feeding Challenges and Their Health Implications)

19 pages, 298 KB

Open AccessArticle

Appetitive Traits and Dietary Patterns in Mexican Children Aged 12 to 36 Months

by Astrid S. Gil-Barrera, Claudia Hunot-Alexander, Clío Chávez-Palencia, Jocelyn González-Toribio, Erika Casillas-Toral, D. Citlalli Álvarez-Zaragoza, Alfredo Larrosa-Haro and Edgar Vásquez-Garibay

Nutrients 2025, 17(11), 1814; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111814 - 27 May 2025

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Appetitive traits may contribute to early feeding challenges by shaping children’s emerging dietary patterns. While food approach traits have been linked to excess weight, their role in influencing food type and quality during toddlerhood remains underexplored. This study aimed to examine associations between appetitive traits and dietary patterns in children aged 12 to 36 months. Methods: This cross-sectional study collected data from a university hospital and the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, Mexico. A survey was conducted through direct interviews with primary caregivers, which included the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire for Toddlers (CEBQ-T) and a qualitative food group frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were determined using principal component analysis. Statistical analyses were performed to identify associations between six appetitive traits and dietary patterns. Results: Three dietary patterns were identified: “Processed”, “Healthy” and “Dietary Transition/Modern Mexican”. Higher scores for Food Responsiveness and Emotional Overeating traits were associated with greater adherence to the Processed dietary pattern. Increased scores in Enjoyment of Food were associated with higher adherence to a Healthy dietary pattern. Children with higher scores in Food Fussiness exhibited lower adherence to the Healthy dietary pattern and were more likely to follow a Dietary Transition/Modern Mexican pattern. Between 12 and 36 months of age, appetitive traits may influence the development of more or less healthy dietary patterns. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of early identification of appetite-related behavioral tendencies as part of a broader understanding of feeding challenges in early childhood. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in the Early Years: Feeding Challenges and Their Health Implications)

Review

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23 pages, 885 KB

Open AccessReview

Thyroid Health and Selenium: The Critical Role of Adequate Intake from Fetal Development to Adolescence

by Valeria Calcaterra, Hellas Cena, Ilaria Anna Maria Scavone, Ilaria Zambon, Silvia Taranto, Cecilia Ricciardi Rizzo, Chiara Ferrara, Marianna Diotti and Gianvincenzo Zuccotti

Nutrients 2025, 17(14), 2362; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17142362 - 18 Jul 2025

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Abstract

The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism and supporting development through the production of the hormones T4 and T3. These hormones are essential during childhood for nervous system myelination, physical growth, puberty, skeletal and dental maturation, and overall metabolic balance. In early infancy, when the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis is still immature, thyroid dysfunction can result in a range of long-term complications. The metabolism and action of thyroid hormones depend not only on iodine but also on other vital micronutrients, particularly selenium (Se). This narrative review aims to comprehensively examine the role of selenium in maintaining thyroid health from fetal life through adolescence. Selenium is a key micronutrient involved in thyroid development, hormone synthesis, antioxidant defense, and immune regulation, especially during pregnancy and childhood. Inadequate selenium levels may contribute to the onset, progression, and clinical management of various thyroid disorders, particularly hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroid diseases. Although scientific evidence supports selenium’s critical functions in hormone metabolism and antioxidant protection, public awareness and monitoring of selenium intake remain insufficient. Beyond the need for further research, there is an urgent call for integrated public health strategies, ranging from sustainable, food-based approaches to targeted clinical screening and educational programs. Promoting awareness of selenium’s importance and incorporating selenium status into maternal and pediatric care protocols could play a significant role in preventing deficiencies and supporting long-term endocrine and neurodevelopmental health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in the Early Years: Feeding Challenges and Their Health Implications)

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