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Aim: Picky eating is a common appetitive trait reported among children and adolescents and may have detrimental effects on their weight, vegetable, and fruit intake, impacting health status. However, an updated systematic review of the literature and summary of effect estimates is required. This study aims to explore the association between picky eating with weight, vegetable and fruit intake, vegetable-only intake, and fruit-only intake. Methods: A systematic literature search of six electronic scientific databases and data extraction was performed between November 2022 and June 2023. Original articles that examined picky eating in association with weight, vegetable and/or fruit intake were included. PRISMA guidelines were followed and meta-analytical and meta-regression analyses were conducted to compute summary effect estimates and explore potential moderators. PROSPERO registration: CRD42022333043. Results: The systematic review included 59 studies of which 45 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, the summarized effect estimates indicated that picky eating was inversely associated with weight [Cohen's d z : -0.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.41 to -0.14, p < 0.0001]; vegetable and fruit intakes (Cohen's d z : -0.35, 95% CI: -0.45, -0.25, p < 0.0001); vegetable-only intake (Cohen's d z : -0.41, 95% CI: -0.56, -0.26, p < 0.0001), and fruit-only intake (Cohen's d z : -0.32, 95% CI: -0.45, -0.20, p < 0.0001). Picky eating was positively associated with underweight (Cohen's d z : 0.46, 95% CI: 0.20, 0.71 p = 0.0008). Conclusion: Although effect sizes were small, picky eating was inversely associated with weight, vegetable, and fruit intakes, and positively associated with underweight in children and adolescents aged birth to 17 years.

Researchers over the last decade have documented the association between general parenting style and numerous factors related to childhood obesity (e.g., children's eating behaviors, physical activity, and weight status). Many recent childhood obesity prevention programs are family focused and designed to modify parenting behaviors thought to contribute to childhood obesity risk. This article presents a brief consideration of conceptual, methodological, and translational issues that can inform future research on the role of parenting in childhood obesity. They include: (1) General versus domain specific parenting styles and practices; (2) the role of ethnicity and culture; (3) assessing bidirectional influences; (4) broadening assessments beyond the immediate family; (5) novel approaches to parenting measurement; and (6) designing effective interventions. Numerous directions for future research are offered.