Early-onset restrictive eating disturbances in primary school boys and girls

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2015 Jul;24(7):779-85. doi: 10.1007/s00787-014-0622-z. Epub 2014 Oct 9.

Abstract

This study sought to determine the distribution of early-onset restrictive eating disturbances characteristic of the new DSM-5 diagnosis, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) in middle childhood, as well as to evaluate the screening instrument, Eating Disturbances in Youth-Questionnaire (EDY-Q). A total of 1,444 8- to 13-year-old children were screened in regular schools (3rd to 6th grade) in Switzerland using the self-report measure EDY-Q, consisting of 12 items based on the DSM-5 criteria for ARFID. 46 children (3.2%) reported features of ARFID in the self-rating. Group differences were found for body mass index, with underweight children reporting features of ARFID more often than normal and overweight children. The EDY-Q revealed good psychometric properties, including adequate discriminant and convergent validity. Early-onset restrictive eating disturbances are commonly reported in middle childhood. Because of possible negative short- and long-term impact, early detection is essential. Further studies with structured interviews and parent reports are needed to confirm this study's findings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age of Onset
  • Body Mass Index*
  • Child
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders of Childhood / diagnosis*
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders of Childhood / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / standards*
  • Psychometrics / instrumentation*
  • Schools / statistics & numerical data
  • Switzerland / epidemiology