It already accounts for up to 14% of eating disorders.

He 80% children with special needs – for example, people suffering from autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) – are bad eaters That is, they represent another disorder known as avoidant or restrictive food disorder (TERIA). It is usually diagnosed between the ages of 2 and 6, in children with TERIA rigid, restrictive and obsessive behavior with food. For example, refuse to eat certain foodsor products with certain textures, or They are only able to eat crushed food. They often suffer from these limitations, nutritional deficiency.

However, although minors with special needs are main risk group TERIA, This disorder affects the general population. In fact, most of the time they are younger They just don’t eat enough, and that can cause them to develop this disorder. or they develop it because they have experienced a traumatic event in their life. According to the head of the nutrition department at HM Nens Hospital, Christina Girbau, TERIA is “increasingly common.”

eating disorders Their prevalence ranges from 5% to 25% among children and young adults. Of these, 12% to 14% correspond to bad eating disorder. “This profile is typical a bad eater always“This is a child who eats very little or only one type of food,” he explains. Silvia Fernandez, Head of the Psychology Department HM Nens Hospital. This, he adds, “It worries families” because it leads to nutritional deficiencies. “The child does not lead a normal life” accurate.

They are often smaller “They don’t accept” baby food. “The choice of food products is excessive, and then we understand what is behind it serious disorder, such as ASD, ADHD or OCD, which are not treated,” says the psychologist, who also explains that “nutritional intervention” is “different” depending on what underlying disorder. For example, a child with autism pictograms can be included and food Through play. Fernandez believes that TERIA underdiagnosed. “There are many more cases than have been identified.” And this carries a “risk” to health: because iron deficiency anemia, growth retardation, poor sexual development or loss of muscle mass, among the others.

Keys to TERIA

TERIA is characterized by the fact that it is high sensitivity to certain characteristics sensorics of some food products, quantity limit that enters the body or is produced as a result of a traumatic experience such as choking, vomiting, or other gastrointestinal symptoms. It differs from anorexia nervosa or bulimia in that No body image distortion or fear of gaining weight. But, as with anorexia or bulimia, it can lead to slow growth I cause significant changes in weight (loss, overweight or obesity).

As one of HM Nens’ nutritionists explains: Joana Toran, children with TERIA, whom she cares for, come received from a pediatrician or endocrinologist By “short stature” although sometimes there are “obesity”. “They always have nutritional deficiency. And the first thing I do when they come is “Look how extensive the food restrictions are.” Explain. So Toran weighs whether they need nutritional supplements and also develop together with them “rules of conduct” during meals. “I work with them Through play. First of all, it is necessary to reduce the pressure, and that is why essential work too with families”, he adds.

For example, some of the guiding principles get the child to accept that food The one you feel repulsed by is on your plate even if you can’t eat it. “Some They don’t even want to sit down at the table if they don’t like something. By not forcing them to eat, it reduces the pressure. We must ensure that meal times “Don’t be a stress moment” says this nutritionist. At HM Nens Hospital, treatment is provided through information groups involving maximum five patients: Games and activities are organized to get children to touch food, put it in their mouths, notice it, appreciate it, and finally taste it.

“Usually We strive to expand the range of food products. Overall, we are seeing improvements. For example, we recently achieved that a child who ate only mashed food is now eating solid food. But we get it in a year: usually they long-term treatment”, — says Toran.

“Little Hunger”

Although 80% of children with special needs have TERIA, “most” children with TERIA “have no impairment” Toran clarifies. In fact, they can develop it for some time. “traumatic process” or just because they are children who have a “little hunger.” “It may be that children who are picky eaters and poor eaters end up developing TERIA disorder,” says the nutritionist. There are three subtypes of TERIA: one that is produced a little hunger; the one who answers stress (for example, parental “divorce”) or the one that comes from high sensitivity (“Here it is closely linked to other disorders, such as autism,” he clarifies).

According to the psychologist Silvia Fernandez, children with TERIA “They drive families to despair.” because they “suffer” when they see that they don’t eat and They are “afraid” for their son’s health. “In many cases, these are overprotective families who they have difficulty setting limits, which leads to the empowerment of the child, which in this area leads to the emergence of bad relationships in the family unit,” says Fernandez. However, family therapy, as good as behavioralmay improve the situation.