Subtypes of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in children and adolescents: a latent class analysis.

Background: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) describes three primary avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) subtypes including sensory sensitivity, lack of interest in food or eating, and fear of aversive consequences. Studies exploring these subtypes have yielded varying results. We used latent class analysis (LCA) based on the psychopathology of ARFID in a sample of children and adolescents to empirically identify classes. Methods: We carried out a surveillance study of ARFID in collaboration with the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit (BPSU) and the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System (CAPSS) in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland from 1st of March 2021 to 31st of March 2022. Paediatricians and child and adolescent psychiatrists were contacted monthly to report newly diagnosed cases of ARFID electronically and complete a detailed clinical questionnaire. Cases aged 5-18 years were included. LCA was performed specifying 1-6 classes and likelihood-based tests for model selection. The Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and the Sample-Size Adjusted BIC were used to determine the most parsimonious model. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and χ2 tests were used to compare the characteristics of the identified classes. A multinomial logistic regression (MLR) was performed to investigate predicting factors for the latent classes. Findings: We identified 319 children and adolescents with ARFID. LCA revealed four distinct classes which were labelled as Fear subtype, Lack of Interest subtype, Sensory subtype, and Combined subtype. The probability of being classified as these were 7.2% (n = 23), 25.1% (n = 80), 29.5% (n = 94) and 38.2% (n = 122), respectively. Age at diagnosis, sex, weight loss, distress associated with eating, and autism spectrum disorder diagnosis were identified as predictors of class membership. Interpretation: LCA identified four different classes in a sample of children and adolescents with ARFID. The Combined Subtype, a mixed presentation was the most common. The other three classes resembled the subtypes described in the literature. Clinicians should be aware of these different presentations of ARFID as they may benefit from different clinical interventions. Funding: This study was funded by the Former EMS Ltd (charity number 1098725, registered October 9th 2017).

The primacy of ocular perception: a narrative review on the role of gender identity in eating disorders.

BACKGROUND: Phenomenological research has enriched the scientific and clinical understanding of Eating Disorders (ED), describing the significant role played by disorders of embodiment in shaping the lived experience of patients with ED. According to the phenomenological perspective, disorders of embodiment in ED are associated with feelings of alienation from one's own body, determining an excessive concern for external appearance as a form of dysfunctional coping. The purpose of the present narrative review is to address the role of gender identity as a risk factor for EDs in the light of phenomenological approaches. METHODS: Narrative review. RESULTS: The current study discusses the interplay between perception, gender identity, and embodiment, all posited to influence eating psychopathology. Internalized concerns for body appearance are described as potentially associated with self-objectification. Furthermore, concerns on body appearance are discussed in relation to gendered social expectations. The current review also explores how societal norms and gender stereotypes can contribute to dysfunctional self-identification with external appearances, particularly through an excessive focus on the optical dimension. The socio-cultural perspective on gender identity was considered as a further explanation of the lived experience of individuals with ED. CONCLUSIONS: By acknowledging the interplay between these factors, clinicians and researchers can gain a deeper understanding of these disorders and develop more effective interventions for affected individuals. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V narrative review.

Repercussões da Pandemia de COVID-19 no Tratamento de Pacientes com Anorexia/Bulimia: Revisão de Escopo / Repercussions of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Treatment of Patients with Anorexia and Bulimia: Scoping Review

A emergência sanitária deflagrada pela pandemia de COVID-19 exigiu que os serviços de saúde especializados na assistência aos Transtornos Alimentares se adaptassem às novas circunstâncias impostas pela necessidade de distanciamento social. Considerando essa perspectiva, delineou-se uma revisão de escopo com objetivo de analisar as estratégias de cuidado adotadas por profissionais da saúde para garantirem a continuidade do atendimento interdisciplinar aos pacientes em tempos de COVID-19. Foram consultadas as bases Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, LILACS e SciELO entre 2020 e 2022. Identificaram-se 387 registros nas bases de dados, dos quais 11 preencheram os critérios de elegibilidade e foram selecionados. Os resultados foram organizados em três categorias temáticas: (1) a "não escolha" da escolha do formato online: prós e contras; (2) foco na comunicação e acolhimento: ressignificando o uso do dispositivo online; (3) intervenções online: adaptações, inovações e recursos alternativos. As principais estratégias utilizadas durante a transição do tratamento para o ambiente online foram: teleatendimento e psicoterapia online. Apesar de terem sido bem avaliadas, foram percebidas barreiras para superar as limitações do cuidado online, como a desconfiança dos pacientes e seus potenciais efeitos na qualidade do vínculo terapêutico.

The health emergency triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic demanded that health services specialized in treating Eating Disorders adapt to the new circumstances imposed by social distancing. Considering this perspective, a scoping review was designed with the objective of analyzing the care strategies adopted by health professionals to maintain continuity of interdisciplinary care to patients in times of COVID-19. The Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, LILACS, and SciELO databases were queried. A total of 387 records were identified in the databases, of which 11 met the eligibility criteria and were selected. The results were organized into three thematic categories: (1) the "non-choice" of choosing the online format: pros and cons; (2) focus on communication and welcoming: resignifying the use of the online device; (3) online interventions: adaptations, innovations and alternative resources. The main strategies used during the transition of the treatment to the online environment were: telehealth and online psychotherapy. Although well evaluated, barriers to overcome the limitations of online care were perceived, such as patients' distrust and its potential effects on the quality of the therapeutic bond.

Narratives of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders: focus on eating behavior / Narrativa de mães de crianças com transtorno do espectro do autismo: foco no comportamento alimentar

Abstract Objective To investigate the eating behavior of individuals with autism through their mothers' narratives. Methods The study of narratives was used to report on the narrators' experiences. Data on the eating habits of individuals with autism were collected using semi-structured interviews held individually with the mothers. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and codified using the NVivo software program. Results Eighteen mothers of boys/young men with autism participated in the study. Analysis yielded three major categories: eating patterns, the family's attitudes to the child's eating habits, and food-related behavior. Conclusion Results show that autism-related factors may affect the child's food choices. Environmental factors, particularly the parents' behavior, may also play a decisive role, both in reinforcing the child's food choices and in encouraging a healthier and more diversified diet. Professionals should instruct parents regarding their decisive role in reinforcing or discouraging inappropriate mealtime behavior in children with autism.

Resumo Objetivo Investigar o comportamento alimentar de indivíduos com transtorno do espectro do autismo (TEA) através das narrativas de suas mães. Métodos Os dados sobre os hábitos alimentares dos indivíduos com TEA foram coletados utilizando entrevistas semiestruturadas realizadas individualmente com as mães. As entrevistas foram gravadas, transcritas e codificadas usando o programa NVivo. Resultados Dezoito mães de meninos/jovens homens com autismo participaram do estudo. A análise produziu três categorias principais: padrões alimentares, a atitude da família em relação aos hábitos alimentares da criança e comportamentos relacionados à alimentação. Conclusão Os resultados mostram que os fatores relacionados ao autismo podem afetar as escolhas alimentares da criança. Os fatores ambientais, particularmente o comportamento dos pais, também podem desempenhar um papel decisivo, tanto no reforço das escolhas alimentares da criança quanto no incentivo a uma dieta mais saudável e diversificada. Os profissionais devem instruir os pais sobre o seu papel decisivo no reforço ou desencorajamento do comportamento inapropriado nas refeições em crianças com TEA.