**6. Healthy eating habits in preschool children**

Good preschool eating patterns are important because they influence both energy and nutrient intake, and dental health. An optimum eating pattern would be regular meals and nutritious, low fat, low sugar snacks. Young children have small appetites but large nutrient needs relative to their body size, therefore regular refueling is required. An eating pattern based on distinct meals is generally beneficial and also promotes dental health. Dental caries is prevalent in preschool children and it is directly related to the amount and frequency of consumption of non-milk extrinsic sugars in the diet (Holt, 1991). Family meal patterns are inevitably affected by family routines, parents working hours and the child's appetite at different times of day. Regular meals allow opportunities for socializing and for parents to set a good example with respect to food choices and eating behavior (Graham, 1972).

A suitable snack should provide nutrients other than calories and should be low in non-milk extrinsic sugar and not interfere with the child's appetite for meals (Sims & Morris, 1974). Snacks high in non-milk extrinsic sugars greatly increase the risk of dental caries and an excessive intake of high fat, high sugar snacks will lead to an energy intake in excess of need (Splett & Strory, 1991). Many snacks will reduce the appetite for meals, often to the detriment of total nutrient intake (Beaton & Chery, 1988). The best snacks are bread and cereals, or fruit and vegetables. They need to be readily available, affordable and appealing to a child (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Farming, (MAFF), 1997).

#### **7. Feeding problems in pre-school children**

Feeding problems are remarkably common in pre-school children. The incidence of feeding problems has been estimated to vary from 16% to 75 %( Eppright et al, 1969; Minde & Minde, 1986). This is a time of growing individuality for children, a time when a child's personality and temperament is demonstrated. Most cases of food refusal and feeding problems are minor and have no effect on growth or the child's weight gain but occasionally the problems can be very severe. Feeding problems may relate to the choosing of foods, or to eating behaviors. Both of these may be accompanied with food refusal or food fads which have psychological and other underlying causes (Harrise & Booth, 1992).

Medical conditions must always be considered and excluded as a reason for a child failing to eat. In the absence of underlying disease, psychological problems should be considered. Many young children pass through a phase of being faddy about food and refusing to eat certain foods. Food faddiness tends to reflect the extremes of young children's food likes and dislikes and often has a psychological cause. Food like and dislikes are influenced by taste, familiarity, parents attitudes to food, and food appeal. In this respect, refusal to eat meat and vegetables and also refusal to drink milk have been reported in young children. Poor appetite, limited food appeal, emotional upset and manipulative behavior are said to be the most common reasons for food refusal in young children(Harrise & Booth, 1992).

Excessive intake of snacks, milk and drinks, particularly squash, may be a reason for poor appetite in young children (Houlihane & Rolls 1995). Snacks close to mealtimes may also suppress appetite (Sims & Morris, 1974). Irregular frequent meals are a common feeding

are likely to have the greatest impact in promoting good nutrition and preventing poor

Good preschool eating patterns are important because they influence both energy and nutrient intake, and dental health. An optimum eating pattern would be regular meals and nutritious, low fat, low sugar snacks. Young children have small appetites but large nutrient needs relative to their body size, therefore regular refueling is required. An eating pattern based on distinct meals is generally beneficial and also promotes dental health. Dental caries is prevalent in preschool children and it is directly related to the amount and frequency of consumption of non-milk extrinsic sugars in the diet (Holt, 1991). Family meal patterns are inevitably affected by family routines, parents working hours and the child's appetite at different times of day. Regular meals allow opportunities for socializing and for parents to

set a good example with respect to food choices and eating behavior (Graham, 1972).

to a child (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Farming, (MAFF), 1997).

have psychological and other underlying causes (Harrise & Booth, 1992).

**7. Feeding problems in pre-school children** 

A suitable snack should provide nutrients other than calories and should be low in non-milk extrinsic sugar and not interfere with the child's appetite for meals (Sims & Morris, 1974). Snacks high in non-milk extrinsic sugars greatly increase the risk of dental caries and an excessive intake of high fat, high sugar snacks will lead to an energy intake in excess of need (Splett & Strory, 1991). Many snacks will reduce the appetite for meals, often to the detriment of total nutrient intake (Beaton & Chery, 1988). The best snacks are bread and cereals, or fruit and vegetables. They need to be readily available, affordable and appealing

Feeding problems are remarkably common in pre-school children. The incidence of feeding problems has been estimated to vary from 16% to 75 %( Eppright et al, 1969; Minde & Minde, 1986). This is a time of growing individuality for children, a time when a child's personality and temperament is demonstrated. Most cases of food refusal and feeding problems are minor and have no effect on growth or the child's weight gain but occasionally the problems can be very severe. Feeding problems may relate to the choosing of foods, or to eating behaviors. Both of these may be accompanied with food refusal or food fads which

Medical conditions must always be considered and excluded as a reason for a child failing to eat. In the absence of underlying disease, psychological problems should be considered. Many young children pass through a phase of being faddy about food and refusing to eat certain foods. Food faddiness tends to reflect the extremes of young children's food likes and dislikes and often has a psychological cause. Food like and dislikes are influenced by taste, familiarity, parents attitudes to food, and food appeal. In this respect, refusal to eat meat and vegetables and also refusal to drink milk have been reported in young children. Poor appetite, limited food appeal, emotional upset and manipulative behavior are said to be the most common reasons for food refusal in young children(Harrise & Booth, 1992).

Excessive intake of snacks, milk and drinks, particularly squash, may be a reason for poor appetite in young children (Houlihane & Rolls 1995). Snacks close to mealtimes may also suppress appetite (Sims & Morris, 1974). Irregular frequent meals are a common feeding

growth and development in children.

**6. Healthy eating habits in preschool children** 

pattern in young children. This behavior may influence both the appetite and dental health of children. In a study in 1991 Holt showed that between-meal snacking was prevalent in 4 year-old children (Holt, 1991). Small children may be over-whelmed by a large plate of food. Small portions, of colorful, attractively presented food are more tempting (Harrise & Booth, 1992).

Toddler behavior is strongly influenced by past experience. Any negative experience with food might result in future food refusal. Transient food refusal may occur after birth of a sibling or other event, in an attempt to redirect attention to themselves (Harrise & Booth, 1992). Refusal to chew due to failure to introduce texture and lumps before 6-7 months of age can result in children rejecting lumpy food later (K & R Minde, 1986).
