Most “picky eating” in kids and adults is just that — pickiness. But others can deal with social emotional issues and malnourishment (at any size). Joining me to discuss “supertasters” and challenges with picky eating, Rebecca Thomas, RDN. She is a dietitian and Body Kindness helping pro mentee of mine. She’s a pro at ARFID, disordered eating, and eating disorders. Tune in to get a HAES-informed perspective on support for food-related sensory issues.
Here’s a few items we cover:
- The spectrum of picky eating, extreme picky eating and the eating disorder ARFID.
- The real fear parents feel when their child is facing malnourishment.
- The medical weight stigma surrounding picky eating and lack of concern when kids and adults are higher weight. People of all sizes have a risk of malnourishment when they struggle with eating patterns.
- How helping professionals can screen for ARFID and refer to specialists.
- What you can expect in seeking support, including food exposures, meditations, and help with anxiety, depression, and more.
Listen to Episode 153 here
About Rebecca
Rebecca Thomas, RD, LDN is a Maryland based registered dietitian, nutritionist specializing in pediatric eating disorder recovery. She is the founder of the B.R.A.V.E program (Better Recovery for ARFID and Very picky Eating) , a 6 week virtual program providing coaching and education to parents of children with ARFID, as well as global educator to physicians, dietitians and therapist on better practices and treatment for eating disorders and ARFID. Rebecca’s nutrition philosophy is anchored in building up confident eaters through body kindess, mindful eating and non-diet approach.
Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook
Links mentioned
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) – Information from NEDA
Prevalence and characteristics of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in a cohort of young patients in day treatment for eating disorders – Journal of Eating Disorders
How Is ARFID Different from Anorexia Nervosa? – Oliver-Pyatt Centers
Frequently Asked Questions – from ARFID Awareness UK
ARFID References
Attia, E., By, Attia, E., Walsh, B. T., & Last full review/revision Mar 2018| Content last modified Mar 2018. (2018). Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) – Psychiatric Disorders. Retrieved February 5, 2020, from https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/psychiatric-disorders/eating-disorders/avoidant-restrictive-food-intake-disorder-arfid
American Psychiatric Association . Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. [Google Scholar]
Academy for Eating Disorders. (2014). About Eating Disorders. Academy for Eating Disorders. Retrieved February 20, 2014, from: http://www.aedweb.org/About_Eating_Disorders.htm
Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFED). (2017). Retrieved February 5, 2020, from https://eatingdisordersreview.com/eating-disorders/specified-feeding-eating-disorders/
Norris, M. L., Spettigue, W., & Katzman, D. K. (2016). Update on eating disorders: current perspectives on avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in children and youth. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 12, 213-218.
Fisher, M. M., Rosen, D. S., Ornstein, R. M., Mammel, K. A., Katzman, D. K., Rome, E. S., … & Walsh, B. T. (2014). Characteristics of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in children and adolescents: a “new disorder” in DSM-5. Journal of Adolescent Health, 55(1), 49-52.
Satter, E. (2005). Your childs weight: helping without harming: birth through adolescence. Madison, WI: Kelcy Press.
Rowell, K., & McGlothlin, J. (2015). Helping your child with extreme picky eating: a step-by-step guide to overcoming selective eating, food aversion, and feeding disorders. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Kleinman, R. E., & Greer, F. R. (2020). Pediatric nutrition: policy of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Itasca, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.
Bryant-Waugh, R. (2019). What are the consequences of having ARFID? ARFID Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, 53–67. doi: 10.4324/9780429023354-4
Brigham, K. S., Manzo, L. D., Eddy, K. T., & Thomas, J. J. (2018, June). Evaluation and Treatment of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in Adolescents. Retrieved February 12, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6534269/
Portions and Serving Sizes What do parents need to know about serving size and portion size. (2018, March). Retrieved February 12, 2020, from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Portions-and-Serving-Sizes.aspx
Nicely, T. A., Lane-Loney, S., Masciulli, E., Hollenbeak, C. S., & Ornstein, R. M. (2014). Prevalence and characteristics of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in a cohort of young patients in day treatment for eating disorders. Journal of eating disorders, 2(1), 1.
Zucker, N. L. (2017, March). Collaborative Training in Arfid Treatment. Collaborative Training in ARFID Treatment. B
Leave a Reply