An exploration of Pediatric Feeding Disorder and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
PHOENIX, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Feeding Matters, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of pediatric feeding disorder, is proud to announce its affiliation with Emory University, a renowned academic institution at the forefront of medical research, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, the only freestanding pediatric health system in Georgia, for the upcoming Consensus Summit on Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).
This landmark event, scheduled for August 12th at Emory University's Health Sciences Research Center, will bring together researchers and clinicians from the eating and feeding disorder worlds to collaborate and build consensus on the best methods for diagnosing and supporting individuals, both children and adults, who struggle with feeding.
The summit will be facilitated by Jaclyn Pederson, CEO of Feeding Matters, a dedicated advocate for children with feeding disorders, and Dr. Hayley Estrem, an accomplished Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Dr. Estrem's expertise lies in pediatric healthcare research, with a specific focus on pediatric feeding difficulties. Her primary research interests involve improving family-centered care for children. Inspired by her own child, Dr. Estrem has pursued a career in feeding research, making her a valuable contributor to facilitate the summit.
By fostering open dialogue and harnessing the collective expertise of the attendees, the summit aims to pave the way for innovative approaches that will transform the field of feeding and eating disorders and improve the lives of individuals facing these challenges.
Pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) are complex conditions that significantly impact the lives of children and adults alike. The lack of consensus in the field around these overlapping diagnoses has hindered progress in the identification, treatment, and support for those affected. This summit serves as a critical platform to address these challenges head-on, unite leading experts, and forge a path towards consistent communication, evidence-based practices and future research in the field.
Jaclyn Pederson, CEO of Feeding Matters, expressed her enthusiasm about the upcoming summit, saying, "Feeding Matters has always been dedicated to fostering collaboration and building consensus to advance the field of pediatric feeding disorder. We are thrilled to partner with Emory University to host this groundbreaking summit, offering an unprecedented opportunity for leaders in eating and feeding disorders to collaborate, exchange knowledge, and collectively strive for improved outcomes for individuals with PFD and ARFID. Both disorders can have a devastating impact on families and the individuals themselves, creating havoc on social relationships and gatherings while burdening them with immense financial and emotional struggles. This summit represents a beacon of hope for parents looking to support their loved ones as well as a significant step forward in fostering a shared vision of progress and innovation in the field," Pederson concluded.
William Sharp, PhD, a professor of pediatrics at Emory University, and director of Children's Multidisciplinary Feeding Program, and whose expertise as a leading figure in both the feeding and eating disorder communities makes him a driving force in both arenas, shared his perspective on the significance of this event. "The summit comes at a crucial time in our field. We have the potential to build a foundation to establish clarity and guidelines that could revolutionize our approach to diagnosis and support," said Dr. Sharp. "This meeting will bring together the leaders from various disciplines to foster a rich environment for collaboration and innovation that could lead to groundbreaking advancements to enhance our ability as clinicians to address the unique needs of all individuals with feeding disorders."
Feeding Matters' long-standing commitment to consensus building and collaboration has been instrumental in driving progress in the field of pediatric feeding disorder. This summit stands as a testament to the organization's unwavering dedication to empowering healthcare professionals, researchers, and families through knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Visit Feeding Matters' resource page: PFD and ARFID as well as their Family Support Page. Read relevant blog topics like: Accurately Diagnosing PFD and ARFID or PFD, ARFID or Both or take the quick and easy Feeding Matters Infant and Child Feeding Questionnaire© for a simple support tool to take to your next pediatrician appointment if you are worried about your child's feeding.
For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Media Contacts:
Stephanie Sanstead, Public Relations Director
Feeding Matters
[email protected]
602-476-9997
About Feeding Matters
For kids with pediatric feeding disorder (PFD), every bite of food can be painful, scary, or simply impossible to swallow, potentially impeding nutrition, development, growth, and overall well-being. Yet, there is no functional system of care for PFD locally, nationally, or internationally. That's why Feeding Matters is dedicated to creating a world where children with pediatric feeding disorder will thrive. Established in 2006, Feeding Matters is the first organization in the world uniting the concerns of families with the field's leading advocates, experts, and allied healthcare professionals to ignite unprecedented change to the system of care through advocacy, education, support, and research – including a stand-alone diagnosis, the International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference, and the Infant and Child Feeding Questionnaire. In 2021, Feeding Matters reached nearly 200,000 individuals in 50 states and 143 countries through their programs and website. To learn more about pediatric feeding disorder, visit feedingmatters.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube at @FeedingMatters.
Media Contact
Stephanie Sanstead, Feeding Matters, 602-476-9997, [email protected]
SOURCE Feeding Matters
Share this article