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When Picky Eating Goes Awry: The Difference Between Selective Eating and ARFID

About the event: Despite the adage that picky eating is “just a phase”, many children don’t “grow out” of their picky eating habits. This presentation will focus on helping healthcare providers understand when picky eating is harmless or developmentally appropriate - and when it crosses the line to become an eating disorder known as avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, or ARFID.

During this presentation, Dr. Jessie Menzel, clinical psychologist and VP of Program Development at Equip, will discuss the factors that drive extreme selective eating, and how an understanding of these factors can inform treatment.

There will also be time for Q&A.


Learning objectives: After participating in this session, attendees should be able to:

  1. Differentiate between picky eating and ARFID.
  2. Identify warning signs of problematic picky/selective eating.
  3. Describe assessment strategies for identifying picky/selective eating that meets criteria for ARFID.
  4. Identify treatment goals for ARFID patients with selective eating.
  5. Describe at least two treatment strategies for expanding dietary variety.

Accreditation information:

  • Eligible providers who attend the webinar will be eligible for up to 1.5 credits through ACCME or APA, or CDR.
  • Equip designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • Full attendance is required to earn continuing education credit through the APA and CDR.
  • This presentation was submitted for approval as a continuing professional education activity by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Presented by:
Jessie Menzel, PhD

Dr. Jessie Menzel is a licensed clinical psychologist and a distinguished leader in eating disorder treatment and research. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Menzel specializes in developing innovative, evidence-based programs for patients of all ages. As Vice President of Program Development at Equip, she oversees the creation and implementation of comprehensive, virtual care designed to transform eating disorder treatment.

Dr. Menzel's career includes founding the Pediatric Eating Disorder Program at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Eating Disorders Center for Treatment and Research, where she also served as an Associate Clinical Professor. Her expertise encompasses treating Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), anorexia nervosa, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) using evidence-based modalities such as family-based treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure and response prevention (ERP).

Professional Experience

Vice President, Program Development, Equip (2023–Present)

Dr. Menzel leads Equip’s strategic initiatives to design and enhance innovative, patient-centered eating disorder programs. Her work ensures that Equip continues to deliver accessible, effective, and comprehensive care.

Senior Director of Program Development, Equip (2022–2023)

In this role, Dr. Menzel was instrumental in refining clinical programs to meet the diverse needs of Equip’s patients and families, driving outcomes through research-informed practices.

Director, Pediatric Eating Disorder Program, UCSD Eating Disorders Center (2014–2021)

As program director, Dr. Menzel built one of the nation’s most comprehensive pediatric eating disorder treatment programs, offering advanced therapeutic interventions for children and adolescents across all levels of care.

Postdoctoral Fellow, UCSD Eating Disorders Center (2013–2015)

Dr. Menzel honed her clinical and research skills through specialized training in eating disorder treatment, focusing on family-based therapy and interventions for OCD and anxiety disorders.

Contributions and Thought Leadership

Dr. Menzel is a recognized leader in the eating disorder field and has contributed extensively to the understanding of body image issues, interoception, and treatment interventions. She is a frequent speaker on ARFID and other eating disorders and regularly delivers educational presentations for healthcare providers and families.

Personal Life

Dr. Menzel resides in San Diego, California, where she enjoys spending time with her family. Her work reflects her deep commitment to empowering patients and their families to achieve recovery through compassionate, evidence-based care.


About this event
When:
9:30am PT / 12:30pm ET
Duration:
90 minutes
Location:
Zoom

Registration cost:
Free

We currently offer Continuing Education credits to:

  • Physicians (ACCME) 
  • Licensed psychologists (APA)
  • Dietitians and other medical or mental health providers can request to obtain credit through, and at the discretion of, their licensing or credentialing organization

Available CE credits:

  • 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1 APA CE Credit
  • 1 CDR CPEU Lecture Hour

Additional CE information

Refund policy: This activity is offered free of charge.

Target audience: The target audience for this presentation includes medical doctors, nurse practitioners, registered dietitians, therapists, case managers, and other health care providers.

Learning format / activity type: Live activity

Continuing Education accreditation:

APA: Equip is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor Continuing Education for psychologists. Equip maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

ACCME: Equip is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Other healthcare professionals: We are happy to provide a certificate of attendance for all providers who stayed for the duration of the activity, however, it is up to the individual attendee to determine whether this activity meets the Continuing Education requirements of their licensing or credentialing organization. Please check your state’s rules and regulations for more information regarding your Continuing Education requirements.

Attendance: Full attendance is required to earn Continuing Education credit through the APA. It is up to each individual attendee to determine whether this activity meets the Continuing Education requirements of their licensing or credentialing organization. Please check your state’s rules and regulations for more information regarding your Continuing Education requirements.

Disclosures:

  • Equip receives no commercial funding for these activities.
  • The presenter(s) mentioned above, faculty for this educational activity, have no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose. Natalia Orloff, PhD, Jessie Menzel, PhD, Cara Bohon, PhD, and Angela Celio Doyle, PhD, FAED, planners for this educational activity, have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.
  • Maria La Via, MD, planner for this educational activity, owns individual stock in the following ineligible companies: Danahar, Gilead, 3M, GSK, Merck, Seres Therapeutics, Solventum, Novavax, Organon, Pfizer, and Viatris. All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.

Questions?

Contact ce@equip.health

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