Dr Samir Shinde, Dr Ajit Gajendragadkar and Dr Samir Dalwai

This writer’s nine-year-old daughter shows signs of ARFID. However, Dr Gajendragadkar warns against liberal labelling. “Easy access of information leads to a problem being overdiagnosed and overlabelled,” he says, “ARFID is not as common as it is made out to be. It is a sensory integration problem or a genetic disorder and there are signs from birth. Unlike other eating disorders like anorexia, ARFID is not born of body image concerns. It can overlap in a small percentage of children who have problems with sensory integration, cognitive textures and scents; it might be part of the autistic spectrum. If left untreated, ARFID can hinder growth and development and may lead to more severe eating disorders later.”

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Cultural and social factors play a significant role in shaping eating habits. Family meals, food preferences, and societal norms influence eating patterns. Dr Samir Shinde, who runs Dr Shinde’s Children Hospital in Jogeshwari and its clinic in Dadar, emphasises the importance of addressing these issues early, noting that children often manipulate parents by crying, leading to overindulgence. “Screen time while eating, snacking between meals, and force-feeding also contribute,” he adds, “We see plenty of these cases at the hospital.”  

Dr Shinde emphasises the role of weaning to avoid eating disorders. “After six months of breastfeeding, most parents shift infants to formula and baby food supplements. They get used to that taste and do not like the natural taste and texture of foods. It’s best to introduce them to the foods we eat every day (in phases), rather than expose their palates to high sugars and salts at an early age, which can lead to addiction later.”

Encouraging a positive relationship with food, offering various options without pressure, and creating a stress-free mealtime environment can make a significant difference, says Development Paediatrician Dr Samir Dalwai. “If a child becomes anxious, nervous, or agitated when they don’t get something they want, they apply the same pattern to foods they don’t like,” he says, “Early intervention  and parent coaching can help develop healthy eating habits that will benefit children for life. If picky eating persists or is accompanied by anxiety or fear around food, consult a paediatrician or child psychologist.”

Dr Gajendragadkar advises, “Such cases might need a multispeciality approach involving a developmental pediatrician or pediatric neurologist and possibly a gastroenterologist for diagnosis and management.”

Emerging initiatives to address these issues focus on nutrition education, parental guidance, and early intervention. Schools and paediatric clinics are increasingly promoting healthy habits and addressing early signs of eating disorders. While research is still evolving, these insights highlight the importance of early detection and culturally sensitive interventions.