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Feeding Disorders Versus Eating Disorders in the Pediatric Population
Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope
With increased research in the field of eating disorders has come a greater understanding of the various illnesses that come under this category. The most recent revisions to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic Statistical Manual – Version 5), has helped define criteria for the various eating disorders and feeding issues that individuals may encounter.
However, to the general public, there is still lacking knowledge and understanding about these disease states. Due to the common stigmas that are associated with the media, eating disorders are typically associated as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder. However, many different types of eating disorders also exist beyond anorexia, bulimia and binge eating, including the category of feeding disorders.
Understanding Feeding Disorders and Subtypes
When a feeding issue presents in a child before the age of six, this is categorized as a feeding disorder, rather than an eating disorder. Feeding disorders can occur in infants, toddlers, and elementary-aged school children for a variety of reasons and causes, such as an associated medical condition or developmental disorder. Feeding disorders can potentially lead to dangerous medical consequences for the infant or child, including failure to thrive, lack of growth, and malnutrition
Feeding disorders can be further divided into different sub-types, including the following conditions:
- Post-traumatic feeding disorder
- Sensory Food Aversion
- Infantile Anorexia
- Feeding Disorder of State Regulation
- Feeding Disorder Associated with Concurrent Medical Condition
- Feeding Disorder of Reciprocity (Neglect)
A child dealing with a feeding disorder may present with varying symptoms, including but not limited to choking, vomiting, or gagging while eating or attempting to swallow, selectivity and pickiness with foods and textures, crying and/or refusing meals, frequently chewing and spitting while eating, and more.
Because these feeding difficulties in infants, toddlers, and elementary-aged children present differently than eating disorders, these are defined as feeding disorders rather than the typical eating disorder.
Seeking Out Comprehensive Treatment
Because feeding disorders in young children are extremely complex and often associated with medical and psychological conditions, seeking out comprehensive and professional treatment is necessary for recovery. If you are concerned about a potential feeding issue with your child, be sure to discuss these concerns with your pediatrician or seek out the care of a pediatric feeding disorder specialist.
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
If your child dealt with a feeding disorder, what were some resources that were helpful to your child and family in effectively addressing these eating concerns?
About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.
As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on March 16, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
