DESCRIPTION

• Eating disorder characterized by a “picky eater” resulting in limited food intake, leading to malnutrition and/or impaired psychosocial function
• Often associated with sensory concerns such as texture or smell; it may also occur following a traumatic event after which there is a restriction of intake due to fear of choking, feeling pain, or vomiting
• Unrelated to body image, not explained by another medical or mental health condition resulting in weight loss and malnutrition

EPIDEMIOLOGY

• Data are not yet established for incidence and prevalence for the general population.
• Estimated to compose approximately 5–14% of patients presenting to formal eating disorder programs
• May impact up to 21% of children with autism
• More likely to be male, occurs in late childhood or early adolescence, and has a prolonged duration of illness compared to those with other eating disorder diagnoses

RISK FACTORS

• History of picky eating
• Traumatic experience such as choking or an acute illness involving vomiting

GENERAL PREVENTION

• Monitor closely for change in eating habits following traumatic events such as a choking episode.
• Assess growth (height, weight, and body mass index) regularly.
• Have a low threshold for early intervention with mental health support to process after a traumatic event and/or supplemental nutrition if declines or plateaus during period of expected growth occur.

ETIOLOGY

Etiology is not clear. It may arise in response to a traumatic event, but it can also occur in the absence of restriction due to fear of pain or sensory concerns such as texture or smell.

COMMONLY ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS

• Anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism spectrum disorder