*see additional and updated information.
Also known as perseverative feeding disorder, or picky/fussy eating, Selective Eating Disorder is expressed in an aversion to certain foods, leaving a narrow range of foods deemed acceptable (usually 10 foods or less), and an extreme refusal to try new foods. Some may not only limit what they'll eat to certain foods or textures but also to certain brands. Nutritional health is a concern.
It is common with, but not limited to, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and children with anxiety disorders. Though typically outgrown as the child matures, it may persist well into adulthood.
"Typically a child or adolescent with selective eating will be within the normal range for both weight and height, and show no abnormality on physical examination. Sometimes selective eating can come on after a period of normal eating, but for many there may be a history of early feeding difficulties or problem with weaning. Eating a highly restricted range of foods is a common feature of toddlers – up to 20 per cent of children below the age of five years are faddy and the problem persists to the age of eight years in about a third of these. However for some young people the problem persists into middle childhood, adolescence and even adulthood. So whilst most children will grow out of it, a small number do need help to change their eating behavior."
SED presenting in adolecence and/or adulthood can put a strain on relationships and social interactions, and be accompanied by anxiety.
"For 28 years Vicki has refused to eat anything except cheddar cheese sandwiches, and cheese and tomato pizza. Her restrictive, bizarre diet is now having a major effect on family life. The Zukiewiczs, who live in Swindon with their three-year-old daughter Ella, cannot go to restaurants or dinner parties. Their social life is non-existent. At her wedding reception, five years ago,Vicki, who runs a successful business selling herbal supplements in Swindon, managed a baked potato… with cheese."
"Jamie Davison, a retail manager from Sheffield, has a diet limited to crisps, Mars Bars and HP brown sauce. When he went snowboarding in Finland last year, he packed 40 packets of Monster Munch (pickled onion flavour) in his suitcase. 'It drives me crazy,' admits Jamie, 27. "I know it's not right."
"Dr Nihara Krause, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and lecturer in eating disorders, says: 'Selective Eating Disorder can be equally as restrictive as having a full blown eating disorder such as bulimia or anorexia. Psychological symptoms include worry, depression and quite significant social impairment, since sufferers can't go out and eat. SED aligns itself more with the obsessive end of eating disorders, showing similarities with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. There tends to be a huge fear of eating things rather than fear of weight gain itself." "Unlike those with other eating disorders, people with SED don't tend to loathe their bodies. 'The disorder develops when they are too young for 'fat and thin' to be important issues,' says Mr Economakis."
SED Resources and Support:
Picky Eating Adult Support
Fussyeaters.com
Adult Picky Eaters UK
For additional and updated information: SED: Selective Eating Disorder Revisited
*See sidebar for more ED info, resources, and recovery.
Sources:http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/factsheets/families/F050241/index.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/4537701/Food-phobias-are-ruining-our-relationships.html picture:publicdomainpictures.net
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