Feeding Problems in Young Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Sweden

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the prevalence of feeding problems (FPs) in children aged 10, 18, and 36 months who visited Swedish Child Health Services. Methods: Parents of children attending regular 10-, 18-, and 36-month visits at the child health care centers (CHCCs) in Sweden answered a questionnaire including a Swedish version of the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS) as well as demographic questions. CHCCs were stratified according to a sociodemographic index. Results: Parents of 238 girls (115) and boys (123) completed the questionnaire. Using international thresholds for FP detection, 8.4% of the children had a total frequency score (TFS) indicating FP. Based on the total problem score (TPS), the result was 9.3%. The mean score for all children was 62.7 for TFS (median 60; range 41–100), and 2.2 for TPS (median 0; range 0–22). Children aged 36 months had a significantly higher average TPS score than younger children, but TFS scores did not differ by age. There were no significant difference in gender, parents’ education, or sociodemographic index. Conclusion: Prevalence numbers found in this study are similar to those found in studies with BPFAS in other countries. Children 36 months of age had a significantly higher prevalence of FP than children aged 10 and 18 months. Young children with FP should be referred to health care specializing in FP and PFD. Creating awareness of FP and PFD in primary care facilities and child health services may facilitate early detection and intervention for children with FP.