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A Treatment Package without Escape Extinction to Address Food Selectivity
Published on: August 21, 2015
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Prevalence and Characterization of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder in a Pediatric Population
Michelle Sader1, Holly A Harris2,3, Gordon D Waiter1
1University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
JAACAP Open
|November 18, 2024
Summary
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) affects 6.4% of young children, presenting with picky eating and emotional issues. This study highlights common ARFID symptoms and associated comorbidities in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Child Psychology
- Eating Disorders
Background:
- Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a DSM-5 feeding disorder characterized by extreme food avoidance.
- Limited data exists on ARFID prevalence and comorbidities in general pediatric populations.
- Understanding ARFID in children is crucial for early intervention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and characteristics of ARFID in a large, population-based cohort of children.
- To investigate the association between ARFID symptoms and appetitive, emotional, and behavioral traits.
- To align ARFID assessment with DSM-5 criteria, excluding body/weight dissatisfaction.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Generation R Study, a Dutch population-based cohort of 2,862 children (aged ≤10 years).
- Assessed ARFID using a parent-reported index including picky eating, energy intake, diet quality, growth, and psychosocial impact.
- Collected data on child appetitive traits and emotional/behavioral problems (anxiety, depression, attention problems).
Main Results:
- ARFID symptoms were identified in 183 children (6.4%) within the cohort.
- Children with ARFID exhibited decreased food enjoyment, increased satiety responsiveness, and emotional undereating.
- Significant associations were found between ARFID and emotional problems (withdrawn/depressed, social, attention, anxiety, obsessive/compulsive) and autistic traits.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first large-scale community-based characterization of ARFID in young children.
- ARFID symptom classification is common, affecting 6.4% of children aged ≤10 years.
- Appetitive, emotional, and behavioral comorbidities likely underlie or reinforce ARFID presentation.
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