May 2021: Pediatric Feeding Disorder Awareness Month

WHEREAS, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identify nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life as a critical factor in early brain growth, development of the central nervous system, and lifelong mental health; and,

 

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 evaluations estimate 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, every bite of food for children with PFD can be painful, scary, or simply impossible to swallow, potentially impeding nutrition, development, growth, and overall well-being; and,

 

WHEREAS, families navigating pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) often feel isolated and overwhelmed, struggling to overcome the medical, emotional, financial, educational, and social issues related to PFD; and,

 

WHEREAS, raising awareness for pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) will help create a world in which children with PFD can thrive by accelerating identification, funding research, and promoting collaborative care and support for children and families; and,

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 2021 as Pediatric Feeding Disorder Awareness Month in Michigan.