Attachment and feeding problems: a reexamination of nonorganic failure to thrive and attachment insecurity.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between attachment patterns, degree of security, and feeding problems.


METHODS
Three groups of toddlers (age range = 12-37 months) were included: toddlers with infantile anorexia (n = 33), picky eaters (n = 34), and healthy eaters (n = 34). Participants in each group were matched for age, socioeconomic status, gender, and ethnicity. Attachment patterns and degree of attachment security were assessed through the Ainsworth Strange Situation.


RESULTS
The infantile anorexia group exhibited a higher rate of insecure attachment relationships than the picky eater and healthy eater groups. When measured on a continuous scale, the infantile anorexia group also displayed a higher degree of insecurity than the other groups. Contrary to previous research, elevated rates of type D attachments were not present within the infantile anorexia group.


CONCLUSIONS
Feeding problems and growth deficiencies can occur within the context of organized and secure attachment child-parent relationships. However, insecure attachment relationships may intensify feeding problems and may lead to more severe malnutrition. Implications for the treatment of specific feeding problems are discussed.
Chatoor
I
I
George Washington University (GWU), Washington, DC, USA.
Ganiban
J
J
Colin
V
V
Plummer
N
N
Harmon
R J
RJ
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005183:Failure to Thrive / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D019959:Feeding and Eating Disorders of Childhood / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009769:Object Attachment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index