What is Known: • The prevalence of food intolerances in children and adolescents is unknown. • Eating behavior in children is influenced by the consumption of social media.

What is New: • Based on this large cross-sectional study, it was shown that 16% of children and adolescents avoid foods, half of them without any medical advice. • Food avoidance is common among this Swiss cohort of children because of different reasons: lifestyle habits, functional diseases, true intolerances with possible consequences such as micronutrient deficiencies if not properly monitored.