Overview
This study is a randomized controlledlinical trial, assessing the efficacy of cognitivebehavioral therapy (CBT-AR) and nutrition counseling for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) for children and adolescents (ages 10-18 years).
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Males and Females ages 10-18 years old
- Current ARFID
- Normal TSH or free T4 levels to rule out thyroid disease as cause of symptoms
- Negative celiac screening panel indicating no active celiac disease as cause of symptoms
- Fluency and literacy in English
Exclusion Criteria:
- BMI < 5th percentile for sex and age
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or recent initiation/cessation of oral contraceptive pills within 8 weeks of the pre-treatment study visit
- Current/history of psychosis
- Substance/alcohol use disorder (active within the past month)
- Medical instability requiring inpatient care according to the American Psychiatric Association 2023 treatment guidelines for eating disorders
- Laboratory abnormalities indicating a need for higher level of care
- Complete lack of oral intake (suggesting a need for inpatient care)
- Tube feeding (suggesting a need for tube weaning)
- Active suicidal/homicidal ideation with intent or plan
- Contraindications to MRI
- History of major gastrointestinal tract surgery or serious medical condition (e.g., cancer)
- Medical history of intellectual disability
- Illiteracy