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Pediatric Feeding and Eating Disorders: Current State of Diagnosis and Treatment

Current Psychiatry Reports volume 16, Article number: 446 (2014) Cite this article

Abstract

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders now recognizes six primary feeding and eating disorders including pica, rumination disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. Guided by research from the past 3 years, the current review outlines diagnostic criteria for each disorder, their clinical correlates and treatment options. Recent modifications to diagnostic criteria will likely help to improve treatment outcomes and prognosis. Nevertheless, several concerns remain regarding the validity of current diagnostic criteria for youth, including the clinical relevance of the size and frequency of binge eating episodes. Additionally, the lack of randomized controlled trials has led to an overreliance on data from quasi-experimental studies, case series and single case studies that impede development of strong clinical recommendations for treating feeding and eating disorders. Recommendations for future research include identifying empirically supported treatments and prevention programs focused on early markers of pediatric feeding and eating concerns.

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Nichole R. Kelly, Lisa M. Shank, Jennifer L. Bakalar and Marian Tanofsky-Kraff declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), DoD, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA

    Nichole R. Kelly, Lisa M. Shank, Jennifer L. Bakalar & Marian Tanofsky-Kraff

  2. Section on Growth and Obesity, Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), DHHS, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA

    Nichole R. Kelly, Lisa M. Shank, Jennifer L. Bakalar & Marian Tanofsky-Kraff

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  1. Nichole R. Kelly
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  2. Lisa M. Shank
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  3. Jennifer L. Bakalar
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  4. Marian Tanofsky-Kraff
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Correspondence to Marian Tanofsky-Kraff.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Eating Disorders

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Kelly, N.R., Shank, L.M., Bakalar, J.L. et al. Pediatric Feeding and Eating Disorders: Current State of Diagnosis and Treatment. Curr Psychiatry Rep 16, 446 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-014-0446-z

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Keywords

  • Pediatric
  • Child
  • Adolescent
  • Eating disorder
  • Feeding disorder
  • Binge eating
  • Loss of control eating
  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Bulimia nervosa
  • Pica
  • Rumination
  • Avoidant/restrictive food intake
  • Compensatory behavior
  • Regurgitation
  • Weight
  • Overweight
  • Obesity