Are there any developmental problems associated with not allowing a toddler to feed himself because you do not want a mess?

Yes.

There are messes and there are messes. A mother can "control" the mess by feeding the toddler self-contained foods that don't drip or smear or melt, such as small pieces of cheese and cold cuts, small cubes of bread with a little peanut butter and jelly on them, Cheerios, etc. rather than cups of pudding or bowls of mashed potatoes.

Put a plastic "tarp" or even just newspaper under the high chair--or get a dog.

Yes, I agree with Wondergirl. I think one of the most obvious things is that children need to practice their fine motor skills. Often, learning how to eat is one of the best ways to do so. My adopted daughter had never held cutlery prior to moving in with us at 4 years of age. The delays were so obvious in many different areas.

Please don't worry about messes. You don't just have to worry about developmental delays, but potential psychological ones too! Babies/toddlers need to touch, feel, squish, etc. all different temperatures and textures. Let your baby/toddler learn and experience! It will encourage brain growth.

Hugs, Didi