Which intervention approach gradually exposes a child to new foods to reduce feeding refusals?

Which intervention approach gradually exposes a child to new foods to reduce feeding refusals?

• A. Systematic desensitization
• B. Deep breathing techniques
• C. Positive reinforcement only
• D. Video modeling

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is using gradual exposure to new foods to reduce feeding refusals, achieved through systematic desensitization in pediatric feeding therapy. Systematic desensitization involves creating a fear or anxiety hierarchy around foods and gently moving the child through that ladder—from less threatening items to more challenging ones—while pairing the exposure with calm, supportive experiences and often relaxation strategies. The goal is to reduce the child’s avoidance by slowly redefining the response to new foods from fear to tolerance and acceptance. Why this fits best: it specifically targets the anxiety-driven avoidance that leads to feeding refusals by scaffolding exposure in manageable steps, which helps the child learn that new foods are safe and doable. Other options don’t structure this gradual, hierarchy-based exposure: deep breathing helps with self-regulation but not the progressive exposure to new foods; positive reinforcement alone can encourage acceptance but doesn’t provide the staged exposure or anxiety reduction framework; video modeling uses observation rather than the child’s own direct, incremental tastings to reduce fear.

The concept being tested is using gradual exposure to new foods to reduce feeding refusals, achieved through systematic desensitization in pediatric feeding therapy. Systematic desensitization involves creating a fear or anxiety hierarchy around foods and gently moving the child through that ladder—from less threatening items to more challenging ones—while pairing the exposure with calm, supportive experiences and often relaxation strategies. The goal is to reduce the child’s avoidance by slowly redefining the response to new foods from fear to tolerance and acceptance.

Why this fits best: it specifically targets the anxiety-driven avoidance that leads to feeding refusals by scaffolding exposure in manageable steps, which helps the child learn that new foods are safe and doable. Other options don’t structure this gradual, hierarchy-based exposure: deep breathing helps with self-regulation but not the progressive exposure to new foods; positive reinforcement alone can encourage acceptance but doesn’t provide the staged exposure or anxiety reduction framework; video modeling uses observation rather than the child’s own direct, incremental tastings to reduce fear.