The term "feeding disease" is not an official medical diagnosis but a general phrase often used to describe various disorders that affect a person's ability to eat and receive adequate nutrition. In the medical community, these conditions fall under the umbrella of Feeding and Eating Disorders (FEDs). A key distinction from conditions like anorexia or bulimia is that feeding disorders are not driven by concerns about body weight or body image. Instead, they stem from physical, developmental, sensory, or behavioral factors that make eating a challenge.
Formal Terminology and Classifications
Within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), specific feeding disorders are formally recognized and differentiated from eating disorders. The primary feeding disorders include:
- Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Defined by a persistent failure to meet nutritional needs, often stemming from a lack of interest in eating, avoidance due to sensory characteristics of food, or a fear of negative consequences like choking or vomiting. It can affect individuals across the lifespan.
- Pica: Characterized by the persistent eating of non-nutritive, non-food substances for at least one month. It requires careful monitoring for potential health risks.
- Rumination Disorder: Involves the repeated regurgitation of food that has been previously chewed and swallowed, which is then re-chewed, re-swallowed, or spit out, and is not caused by another medical condition.
- Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD): A complex condition in children involving impaired oral intake that is not age-appropriate and results in nutritional or developmental dysfunction.
Causes of Feeding Disorders
The origins of feeding disorders are often complex and multifactorial. They can stem from medical issues such as gastrointestinal problems, structural abnormalities, or neurological conditions. Nutritional factors like allergies can also contribute. Difficulties with oral-motor skills or swallowing (dysphagia) are considered feeding skill-based causes. Psychosocial factors include behavioral components, sensory aversions (common in conditions like autism), and traumatic feeding experiences.
Symptoms and Consequences
Symptoms of a feeding disorder vary but can include arching the back, coughing or choking during meals, difficulty chewing or swallowing, frequent spitting up, extreme pickiness, poor weight gain, or lack of interest in food. For infants, issues with breastfeeding or coordinating suck-swallow-breathe motions are signs. If untreated, feeding disorders can lead to poor growth, nutritional deficiencies, developmental delays, stress for families, and social difficulties related to mealtimes.
Treatment Approaches
Treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach involving a team of specialists such as pediatricians or gastroenterologists, registered dietitian nutritionists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and psychologists. Strategies include feeding therapy, nutritional interventions (which might involve supplements or feeding tubes), and behavioral strategies to create a positive eating environment.
Comparison of Feeding Disorders and Eating Disorders
| Feature | Feeding Disorders (e.g., ARFID, PFD) | Eating Disorders (e.g., Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Motivation | Lack of interest, sensory aversions, fear of consequences (e.g., choking). | Intense fear of gaining weight, body image distortion, and pursuit of thinness. |
| Body Image Concern | Not a factor; body shape or weight is not the cause of food restriction. | Central feature; weight and shape heavily influence self-worth. |
| Age of Onset | Often in infancy or early childhood, though can persist or begin in adulthood. | Typically in adolescence or early adulthood, though can start younger. |
| Behavioral Symptoms | Food refusal, sensory avoidance, choking fears, gagging, difficulty swallowing. | Calorie restriction, binge eating, compensatory behaviors like purging or excessive exercise. |
| Psychological Factors | Anxiety about specific food types or eating consequences, general distress around mealtimes. | Body dysmorphia, high levels of anxiety and depression, obsessive-compulsive traits. |
Conclusion
While not a formal medical term, the phrase “what is feeding disease” points to serious conditions that can significantly impact health and development. Feeding disorders require a compassionate, evidence-based approach involving a team of healthcare professionals to address the multifaceted medical, nutritional, and psychological factors. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for improving outcomes and helping individuals develop a healthier relationship with food. For those concerned about feeding difficulties, seeking help from a healthcare provider is a vital first step toward restoring nutritional health and overall well-being. A great resource for more information can be found at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) on feeding and swallowing disorders.
