Feeding Disorders

Signs and Symptoms

Typical signs and symptoms of feeding disorders include:

• Failure to eat that is not explained by a medical condition or by
  lack of available food
• Too little weight gain or a significant weight loss

Evaluation and Diagnosis

It is essential to diagnose feeding disorders early, because children will not grow and develop without appropriate nutrition. In
addition, feeding disorders can also make it difficult for parents to bond with their children. Diagnosis of a feeding disorder can be complicated because it requires both a medical and a mental health evaluation. A provider will look at medical, social, and
behavioral factors to find out the cause of the feeding problem. A feeding disorder is typically diagnosed early in infancy, within
the first 6 to 12 months. If you think your child has a feeding disorder, your child may need a feeding evaluation.

Learn more about mental health evaluations

Treatment

Treatment may include different types of psychotherapy and training, as well as medical monitoring. Specific treatments may focus on improving mealtime structure, schedule, and limits; teaching parents successful eating approaches; making sure that parents are providing good food choices and variety; and helping to improve parent-child interaction patterns. 

For more serious cases, treatment should be team-based and could include the following providers: the child’s pediatrician, a gastroenterologist, a psychiatrist, a psychotherapist, a nutritionist or dietician, a speech-language pathologist, and occupational and physical therapists.

Mental Health Support