Helping children with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder learn to enjoy food.
Feeling and Body Investigators (FBI)-ARFID Division: Sensory and Somatic Exposure for Children with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
This study is all about helping kids with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) learn to see their feelings about eating as fun puzzles to solve, so they can feel more comfortable trying new foods and improve their nutrition and emotional growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10654708 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on children with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), a condition where kids struggle to eat enough food for healthy growth. The study aims to help these children by teaching them and their caregivers to view uncomfortable bodily sensations related to eating as clues to solve a mystery, rather than something to fear. Through playful and engaging methods, the intervention encourages children to approach food with curiosity, potentially increasing their willingness to eat a variety of foods. The goal is to improve their nutrition and overall emotional development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who have been diagnosed with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have ARFID or are outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help children with ARFID develop healthier eating habits and improve their physical and emotional well-being.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using sensory-based interventions for children with eating disorders, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zucker, Nancy L — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Zucker, Nancy L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.