Is dinner time a war zone at your house? Do you fight battles with your kids over vegetables and mac and cheese?

Picky eating is as normal as potty-training. Even the best of parents can have a difficult time getting their child to eat. In fact, picky eating is one of the most common events in children, often outgrown as the child reaches adolescence.

But when eating behavior affects normal development, it could be something much more serious—a pediatric feeding disorder.

“The difference between a fussy eater and a child with a feeding disorder is the impact the eating behavior has on a child’s physical and mental health,” said Dr. Peter Girolami, clinical director of the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore.

Pediatric feeding disorders are more common than most think, affecting 1 in 10 infants and children. Some kids just don’t eat enough calories and nutrients to thrive.

Common symptoms of a pediatric feeding disorder are these:

•  A sudden change in eating habits lasting longer than 30 days

•  Delayed development of skills needed to feed or eat foods with greater textures

•  Weight loss or failure to gain weight

•  Choking/coughing during meals

•  Unexplained fatigue, loss of energy

•  Disruptive behavior during mealtime, throwing utensils

Early diagnosis and treatment is extremely important.