Feeding and eating disorders in children.
OBJECTIVE
The past few years have seen a steep increase in journal articles relating to feeding and eating disorders in children, making a succinct overview timely. The relevance of this review is enhanced by the recent publication of revised feeding and eating disorder diagnostic criteria in DSM-5. These have significant implications for younger patients, in particular through the inclusion of the new diagnostic category Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). It is likely that this will encourage increased research interest in this field.


RESULTS
Recent publications included in this article cover a broad range of topics relevant to childhood feeding and eating disorders, to include: presentation, diagnosis and classification; epidemiology; risk factors; assessment measures; treatment, prognosis and outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
The area of feeding and eating disorders in children remains relatively under-researched, with significant gaps in knowledge about epidemiology, course and prognosis as well as a limited evidence base for treatment. However, important and promising avenues are increasingly being explored. In relation to clinical practice, there is now a much better recognition of these disorders and a greater awareness of their complexity, severity and potential impact in both the short and the longer term if not appropriately managed.
Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Rachel
R
Bryant-Waugh
D002648:Child; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D019959:Feeding and Eating Disorders of Childhood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors