Helping Families Manage Eating Difficulties in the Toddler and Pre-schooler.

Parents of toddlers and pre-schoolers often report "eating difficulties" to their family doctors. Most problems arise from a combination of the normal psychological development of children, their changing nutritional needs, and parental responses to these changes. During well child and episodic visits, family doctors can assess these issues by taking a careful nutritional history, charting growth and development, and exploring the role of the family in defining and coping with the problem. Management includes prevention through anticipatory guidance and general information, treating problems with specific suggestions, and ongoing support.