Fear and picky eating-related ARFID behaviors in children with food allergy
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, cilt.37, sa.7, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 37 Sayı: 7
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1111/pai.70403
- Dergi Adı: Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), children, eating disorders, fear, food allergy, NIAS-PR, picky-eating
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Food allergy is a chronic condition with psychosocial consequences for both children and their families. Strict elimination diets and fear of adverse reactions may contribute to maladaptive coping including behaviors avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)-related eating patterns. Therefore, this study aimed to compare ARFID-related eating behavior scores between children with food allergy and healthy controls and to identify the affected domains. Methods: In this prospective controlled study, 234 children aged 2–9 years were enrolled, including 117 children with physician-diagnosed food allergy and 117 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Eating behaviors were assessed using the Nine Item Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Screen—Parent Report (NIAS-PR). Total and subscale scores (picky eating, fear, and appetite) were compared between groups. Within the food allergy group, associations between clinical characteristics and NIAS-PR scores were analyzed. Results: Children with food allergy demonstrated significantly higher NIAS-PR total scores compared with controls. The median total NIAS score was higher in the patient group than in the control group (17 [11–24] vs. 12 [7–18], p <.001). This difference was primarily driven by higher fear- and picky-eating-related scores, whereas appetite scores did not differ significantly. Fear subscale scores were significantly higher in children with a history of urticaria or anaphylaxis. Conclusion: Pediatric food allergy is associated with increased ARFID-related eating behaviors, particularly fear- and picky-eating patterns. In addition, fear-related scores were higher among children with a history of immediate-type reactions, such as urticaria and anaphylaxis. These findings suggest that ARFID-related eating behaviors should be considered in the assessment of children with food allergy.