Group sessions for parents of children with ARFID

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Group sessions for parents of children affected by avoidant food restrictive intake disorder

  • IRAS ID

    352740

  • Contact name

    Luise Marino

  • Contact email

    luise.marino@swyt.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 11 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a diagnostic term for disordered eating behaviour leading children and young people not being able to meet appropriate nutrition requirements, resulting in physical or psychosocial impairment. ARFID like symptoms affect children and young people to varying degrees, but often causes them and their family’s significant distress. International guidance recommends the clinical care for those affected by ARFID involves assessment and support from a multidisciplinary team, including mental and physical healthcare professionals.

    Currently there is very little information regarding the prevalence of children and young people affected by ARFID or ARFID like symptoms, with reports of children and young people waiting for up to a year to receive support. There is urgent need to develop packages of care for children with ARFID like symptoms and ARFID with regards to assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, to reduce health inequalities and improve access to support for underserved populations. Knowledge exchange is also required to support healthcare professionals and other professionals across the health and social care network, considering innovative approaches to treatment including group sessions to prevent exacerbations of symptoms and support recovery.

  • REC name

    East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    25/EE/0025

  • Date of REC Opinion

    28 Feb 2025

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion