PFD and ARFID Awareness Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

PFD and ARFID Awareness Month

WHEREAS, the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition published a field-leading consensus paper defining pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) as impaired oral intake that is not age-appropriate and is associated with medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and/or psychosocial dysfunction; and

WHEREAS, according to a national prevalence study published in the Journal of Pediatrics, conservative estimates indicate that more than 1 in 37 children under the age of 5 and more than 1 in 5 children with a chronic disease experience severe PFD in the United States annually; and

WHEREAS, the DSM-5-TR defines Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) as an eating or feeding disturbance characterized by persistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional needs leading to significant weight loss or poor growth nutritional deficiencies; dependence on enteral feeding or oral nutritional supplements; of significant psychosocial impairment; and

WHEREAS, studies from non-clinical samples have reported prevalence estimates of ARFID ranging from .3 percent to 15.5 percent; and

WHEREAS, for children with PFD and ARFID, eating can be painful, frightening, or impossible, impairing nutrition, growth, development, and overall well-being; and

WHEREAS, families navigating PFD and ARFID often feel isolated and overwhelmed, struggling to overcome the medical, emotional, financial, educational, and social barriers associated with PFD and ARFID; and

WHEREAS, raising awareness for PFD and ARFID will accelerate identification, advance research, and promote collaborative care and support for children and families; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor, do hereby recognize May 2026, as PFD AND ARFID AWARENESS MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.