Bayside Dietetics
By Sarah Smith of Bayside Dietetics
Facebook Bayside Dietetics
Instagram BaysideDietetics
According to the Chicago Tribune, President George W Bush famously declared “I do not like broccoli and I haven’t liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I’m President of the United States, and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli!’”
Aaaah the power in being able to clear the White House of your least favourite vegetable.
I wonder if anyone relates to the alleged “trigger” however: George’s Mum trying to push broccoli into her son. Around the time, George’s Mum had moved the family to a different city to support her husband’s career. George was the oldest of what was to become six children. I just can imagine the chaos of mealtimes.
While broccoli was important to his mother, I can imagine George Bush’s future Presidential prospects would not have been jeopardised had he missed broccoli in his youth. Disliking and avoiding a single vegetable is unlikely to have any impact on a child’s growth and development. However, there is a presentation in children where restriction of food can lead to very real concerns. It’s the new kid on the block in terms of being defined as an eating disorder, and it is known as ARFID, or Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.
The big difference between selective food choices that can be considered normal and the diagnosis of ARFID, is that a child with ARFID cannot get enough to eat through their narrow range of food choices. This may mean they lose weight or have a nutritional deficiency, and may even rely on an alternative to food, such as supplements or tube feeding. ARFID can make fitting into regular life difficult, including avoiding social occasions and school. ARFID is essentially when fussy eating presents in a severe manner.
Some of the children I work with to support through ARFID are of the most beautiful children I know. One of these young boys is very aware of the smell and flavour of food and I often wonder whether he’ll use his acute sensory skills to develop perfumes or wines when he is older!
Trauma is another potential contributor to ARFID, and children who have had a difficult experience, such as a premature infant who was tube fed when first born, or a child who experienced an episode of choking or vomiting, may go on to restrict their intake. There is some overlap between ARFID and autism. Individuals with autism may have anxiety around eating certain foods and the relationship between the two is being explored.
The good news for any parent or carer who is worried their child has ARFID, or even an adult who feels that they themselves may have ARFID, is that it is now a well-recognised condition, and the right support can lead to significant improvement. A specialist team in eating disorders is essential for treating ARFID and your GP is the best first step. Further support is available through eating disorder services such as Eating Disorders Victoria and Eating Disorders Families Australia.
Now, good luck not thinking about George next time you dish up broccoli 😉
Sarah
