Background. Many studies indicated that behavior modification intervention is effective in treating eating problems in children. However, only a few of these studies have looked at the implementation of a behavior modification approach in treating a specific eating disorder, selective eating-food neophobia disorder. Thus, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of behavioral strategies, specifically, the antecedents control and differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI), in treating selective eating-food neophobia disorder in a toddler.

Methods. This is a single case design study with multiple baselines. Pre and post design method was utilized to compare a child eating progress before and after the intervention.  Before the start of the intervention, the parent received a psycho-education session that explained the principle of behavior modification including the goal of the treatment, its procedures, and techniques.  A total of 47 intervention sessions were conducted with seven baseline sessions and 40 intervention sessions.  Baseline and intervention were conducted across three meal times; breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  The intervention program was divided into three different phases with its different goals and rewards. The first phase was planned to run for seven days that focused on increasing her meat intake to 110 grams and milk intake to 250 ml per day.  The second phase was estimated to be conducted for 10 days that aimed at increasing her meat consumption to 120 grams and milk consumption to 300 ml per day. The third phase was scheduled for 13 days that focused on increasing her meat consumption to 125 grams and milk intake to 350 ml per day. During each meal times, the child’s consumption of meat and milk were recorded to monitor her progress.  Participant in this study is a 3-year-and-9- month old child with selective eating-food neophobia disorder. The mother played the primary role in the implementation of the program with direct coaching from the clinician.

Results. The results of the study show that the child has increased her food consumption at the conclusion of the intervention. The child was able to improve her meat consumption by up to 80% and milk consumption by up to 57.14%.  In addition, the child was also gaining weight, from 13 kg to 14.7 kg after the intervention.  However, the length of the intervention required an adjustment due to the inconsistency of the implementation of the program and the child’s condition.  Regardless of this adjustment, this study shows that antecedents control and differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI) is effective in increasing food and milk consumption in a 3-year-and-9-month old child with selective eating-food neophobia disorder.

Conclusion. This study provides promising support for utilizing behavior strategy, specifically, the antecedent control and differential reinforcement of incompatible (DRI) in treating selective eating-food neophobia disorder in a toddler.  However, it is imperative to stress the importance of consistency throughout the intervention program to obtain the optimal outcome.

Added-Values. This study provides additional support for the effectiveness of behavior modification intervention in treating a specific eating problem, selective eating-food neophobia disorder in young children.

Contribution to the society. This study can provide alternative treatment in treating a general eating problem or specific eating disorder in young children.

Keywords: antecedents control, differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI), selective eating-food neophobia

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