Intensive Outpatient Programs for Pediatric Feeding Disorder: A Qualitative Study of Current Challenges and Future Directions.

Background: Although intensive multidisciplinary interventions (IMIs) provide benefits for patients with pediatric feeding disorders (PFD), access to these programs is limited and challenges faced by the programs remain unclear.

Objective: To better understand the barriers faced by existing day programs that provide IMI, disparities in patient care, and areas for improvement to better inform policy and improve access to treatment for PFD.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a leader of outpatient programs providing IMI in the United States.

ARFID Parent Training Protocol ("ARFID-PTP"): Results of a Randomized Pilot Trial Evaluating a Brief, Parent-Training Program for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.

Objective: Accessible treatment options for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) in children are limited. The current study sought to assess acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of a brief, virtual intervention for ARFID in children ("ARFID-PTP").

Method: Families of children ages 5-12 with ARFID (n = 30) were randomized to immediate or waitlist treatment groups, with both groups ultimately receiving ARFID-PTP.

Relation between ARFID symptomatology and picky eating onset and duration.

Background: Picky eating (PE) is common in early childhood, peaking between ages 1 and 5 years. However, PE may persist beyond this normative period and pose threats to health and psychosocial functioning. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) involves restrictive eating driven by appetite, preference/selectivity, and/or fear of eating, leading to significant medical and/or psychosocial impairment.

Peer Ethnicity as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Ethnic Identity and Body Appreciation in Black College-Aged Women.

Strong ethnic identity is recognized as a protective factor against body image concern and eating pathology in Black women as they tend to hold cultural values in line with an acceptance of a variety of body shapes and sizes. Reinforcement of these cultural ideals may occur via same-race peer relationships. The current study examined the mediating role of same-race versus other-race peers in the relationship between ethnic identity and body appreciation in Black women.

Differential genetic associations between dimensions of eating disorders and alcohol involvement in late adolescent twins.

Background: Twin studies have demonstrated shared genetic and environmental effects between eating disorders and alcohol involvement in adults and middle adolescents. However, fewer studies have focused on late adolescents or investigated a wide range of eating disorder dimensions and alcohol involvement subscales in both sexes. We examined genetic and environmental correlations among three eating disorder dimensions and two alcohol involvement subscale scores in late adolescent twins using bivariate twin models.

Exploring the relationship between food disgust and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) presentations in a non-clinical collegiate sample.

Objective: Disgust is an established mechanism driving restrictive eating behavior. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a restrictive eating disorder diagnosis characterized by extremely selective eating with three hypothesized presentations. It has been suggested that disgust is significantly associated with ARFID; however, there is limited empirical research to support this hypothesis.

The moderating role of self-compassion on the relationship between emotion-focused impulsivity and dietary restraint in a diverse undergraduate sample.

Objective: High levels of emotion-focused impulsivity (e.g., negative urgency) are significantly related to disordered eating behaviors, including dietary restraint.

ARFID Parent Training Protocol: A randomized pilot trial evaluating a brief, parent-training program for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder.

Evidence-based treatment approaches for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) remain limited and may be inaccessible to families due to geographic, financial, and/or time constraints. This study aims to establish the acceptability and feasibility of a brief ARFID Parent Training Program (ARFID-PTP), modified from other evidence-based approaches, using a randomized controlled trial design. Participants (n = 30) will be children aged 5-12 who meet diagnostic criteria for ARFID and their parents/guardians.

Changes in eating and exercise behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in a community sample: A retrospective report.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated extreme physical, psychological, and social consequences across the world, many of which have the potential to exacerbate disordered eating and exercise behaviors. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively assess changes in eating pathology and exercise behaviors as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in a community sample.

Method: Participants (n = 159, M = 27.