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 will unite researchers at UNC’s Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders and Interdisciplinary Feeding Team to systematically examine ARFID prevalence, characteristics, and course, as well as ARFID-specific treatment needs, in a PFD clinical sample. Project data will guide the development of treatment for ARFID in young children with PFD.
Goals & Projected Outcomes: This study will provide an estimate of ARFID prevalence in a PFD clinical sample, identify cross-sectional and prospective risk factors for ARFID, and engage caregivers to explore unique treatment needs. Project data will support a future NIH funding application to develop and pilot test an integrative care model for treating ARFID from within an Interdisciplinary Feeding Team clinical setting.
Camden Matherne, PhD
Grant Details: ARFID is a relatively newly defined eating disorder, and research in early childhood is emergent. Young children with ARFID characteristics are commonly referred for treatment with an Interdisciplinary Feeding Team and diagnosed with a PFD, rather than treated in a traditional eating disorders clinic. Due to overlapping diagnostic characteristics, ARFID and PFD commonly co-occur, yet ARFID is not managed in standard PFD care. In this project, caregivers of 250 children (3-8y) with a PFD receiving treatment with the UNC Interdisciplinary Feeding Team will complete questionnaires evaluating ARFID symptoms and diagnosis, child and caregiver psychosocial functioning, child eating behavior, and parenting practices. Child health-related factors will be documented from the patient’s medical record. The assessment battery and medical record review will be repeated at a 6-month follow-up, allowing for a prospective examination of ARFID course and predictors of ARFID outcome. In addition, focus groups with 15 caregivers of a child with co-occurring ARFID and PFD will be conducted to explore treatment-related challenges and unique treatment needs for these families.
