CEED Child & Youth Forum

Description

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) and Paediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) are recently defined conditions. ARFID & PFD are characterised by eating difficulties which can result in malnutrition & growth delay, acute medical problems, psychological distress & reduced wellbeing for the young person, as well as having significant impact on the broader family system. The multiple factors involved in the development and maintenance of PFD and ARFID are becoming clearer. These include: medical conditions or interventions that result in delays in child eating behaviour; neurobiological diversity of sensory experience of eating; altered appetite and aversive experiences and associated anxiety leading to a restriction in variety and quantity of food intake.

Awareness of ARFID and PFD and the significant impact of these eating disorders is limited amongst health professionals. As a result coordinated and evidence-informed service responses and supports for children, young people and their families are only beginning to emerge. Families frequently need to advocate strongly for both understanding and access to care and support.

Service responses and supports to meet the needs of children and adolescents with both Avoidant Restrictive Food intake Disorder and Paediatric Feeding Disorder and their families is emerging as an issue of importance in the last few years.