Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in Youth with Pediatric Feeding Disorder: Exploring Prevalence, Characteristics, and Unique Treatment Needs 2026 Award: $60,534 Although early detection and treatment of eating disorders improves clinical outcomes, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), a type of eating disorder, is understudied in early childhood. This project will systematically examine ARFID in young children with pediatric feeding disorder, a medical population enriched for ARFID. Study results will guide treatment development for ARFID in early childhood. Need/Problem: Although ARFID and PFD commonly co-occur, the PFD and Eating Disorders fields have been historically siloed, and empirically-based diagnostic and treatment recommendations for ARFID co-occurring with PFD are lacking. Collaborative research between the Eating Disorders and PFD fields to elucidate the ARFID/PFD co-occurrence is a critical first step in developing effective treatment for ARFID in this population. Grant Summary: This study [...]

Functional Impairment in Adults with Eating Disorders: Identification of New Treatment Targets 2025 Award: $58,756 Eating disorders can have devastating impacts on school, work, and relationships similar to the impacts of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other severe psychiatric illness. While interventions exist to address these effects for people with other psychiatric conditions, there are currently no interventions tailored specifically to the needs of individuals with eating disorders. In this study we will gain insight into the nature of challenges in these areas directly from both people with eating disorders and caregivers or partners to inform the design of future interventions. Need/Problem: Adults with eating disorders can have impairment in educational attainment, employment, social relationships, and health-related quality of life. While psychiatric rehabilitation interventions have been designed to address these challenges for people with other psychiatric illnesses, there are no [...]

Addressing an Urgent Need: Developing and Disseminating a Brief Eating Disorders Intervention for Primary Care (FAST-ED) 2024 Award: $99,001 Eating disorders effect approximately 10% of the population, but many individuals with eating disorders experience many barriers to accessing treatment, including unacceptably long waitlists at specialty care settings. The average delay between onset of the eating disorder and accessing treatment is over 5 years. The goal of this study is to develop and test a treatment for adolescents with eating disorders that is designed to be used in primary care settings and delivered by generalist mental health providers. By increasing access to treatment at the point of detection, we will be able to transform care delivery and improve youth mental health across NC. Need/Problem: Eating disorders effect approximately 10% of the population and have a high mortality rate, but current [...]

Co-occurrence of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction and Feeding and Eating Disorders in Adolescence: Prevalence, Complications, and Clinical Management 2021 Award: $40,396 A body of research is emerging that links Feeding and Eating Disorders (FEDs) to adults with Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI). Surprisingly, very little research has been conducted on FEDs among adolescents with DGBI. In this project, we will estimate the prevalence and identify psychiatric comorbidities and health-related symptoms of FEDs in a clinical sample of adolescents with DGBI. Data derived from the study will inform novel treatments for youth with co-occurring DGBI/FEDs that are expected to be mutually beneficial to improving patient outcomes across both fields. Need/Problem: Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) involve impairing gastrointestinal symptoms occurring due to miscommunication between the gut and the brain. DGBI affect 1 in 4 youth in the community and > [...]

Predicting the Trajectory of Restrictive Eating in Childhood from Genetic Risk for Anorexia Nervosa 2016 Award: $45,000 Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness, and is also extremely difficult to treat—treatment typically relies on supportive therapy, with no actual medications designed to target the core biology of the illness. “Picky eating” in childhood can be a warning that anorexia will develop later in adulthood, but little is known about the genetic reasons for this behavior. This project will comb the comprehensive, long-term Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study for genetic and/or environmental clues that point to restrictive eating behavior, with the ultimate goal of preventing this devastating illness in its earliest stages. Need/Problem: Restrictive or picky eating in childhood has been associated with risk for anorexia nervosa, a serious and perplexing psychiatric disorder. Our recent [...]