Worried about your child’s eating?
You’re not alone.
Many families worry about picky eating, stressful mealtimes, or whether their child is getting enough nutrition. Support is available, and early help can make a big difference.
Learn more about feeding disorders and if you’re child’s eating may be cause for concern.
Signs Feeding May be a Problem
Mealtimes should feel manageable, not overwhelming. The following screener will help you identify if your child’s eating problems are a cause for concern.
Feeding Screener
Feeding Screener
Feeding Screener
Feeding Screener
Feeding Screener
Feeding Screener
Your Results
What are feeding disorders?
Feeding disorders happen when a child has ongoing trouble eating in a way that supports healthy growth. This can affect what a child eats, how much they eat, or how mealtimes feel for the child and family. Two common feeding disorders are PFD and ARFID.
What is PFD?
Pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) is a medical diagnosis used when a child’s eating is not age-appropriate and affects their health, growth, skills, or family life. PFD can involve challenges in one or more areas:
- Medical: A child may not feel well enough to eat or may have trouble swallowing safely because of heart, breathing, stomach, or other medical problems.
- Nutrition: A child may not eat enough or eat a wide enough variety of foods to grow and stay healthy.
- Feeding Skills: A child may have trouble chewing, swallowing, or handling different food textures.
- Psychosocial: Eating may feel hard, painful, or scary. This can lead to stress at mealtimes or behaviors like crying, refusing food, or throwing food.
Early identification and treatment are important for a child’s long-term health and well-being.
What is ARFID?
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a mental health diagnosis describing individuals who eat very little or avoid many foods, which can lead to nutrition concerns, but it is not related to body image.
Can my child have both PFD and ARFID?
Yes. Some children can have both PFD and ARFID. When ARFID is diagnosed in young children, it is important to also look at all four areas of PFD to make sure medical or feeding skill problems are not part of the child’s feeding difficulties.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Feeding Matters welcomes all families with children who struggle to eat, no matter the diagnosis. Whether your child has PFD, ARFID, or feeding challenges without a diagnosis, we are here to help.