E3 PreliminaryPreliminaryPEM ?Cross-SectionalPeer-reviewedMachine draft
A qualitative investigation of eating difficulties in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.
Harris, Sarah, Gilbert, Matthew, Beasant, Lucy et al. · Clinical child psychology and psychiatry · 2017 · DOI
Quick Summary
This study looked at why some teenagers with ME/CFS have trouble eating. Researchers interviewed 11 teenagers and found that eating difficulties were caused by stomach symptoms, fatigue making it hard to eat, and changes in how food tasted or smelled. These eating problems affected their weight, energy levels, mood, and family life. The teenagers found that changing what they ate, family support, and medical help (like medications) were helpful.
Why It Matters
Eating difficulties affect approximately 10% of adolescents with ME/CFS but remain poorly understood and underrecognized. This research highlights that eating difficulties are a significant unmet clinical need that substantially impacts quality of life, disease progression, and family functioning. The findings suggest that early screening and intervention by clinicians could prevent a harmful cycle where poor nutrition exacerbates core ME/CFS symptoms.
Observed Findings
- Adolescents attributed eating difficulties to three primary mechanisms: abdominal symptoms (nausea, pain), fatigue severe enough to prevent eating, and altered taste/smell sensation.
- Psychological factors including low mood and anxiety were recognized by participants as exacerbating and maintaining eating difficulties.
- Eating difficulties were associated with negative impacts on weight, fatigue levels, social participation, and family relationships.
- Adolescents identified helpful interventions: dietary modification, family adaptation and support, and medical treatment (e.g., medication).
- Participants expressed that early education about diet and eating habits would have been beneficial.
Inferred Conclusions
- Eating difficulties in adolescents with ME/CFS represent a significant clinical concern requiring proactive screening in those presenting with nausea or abdominal pain.
- A bidirectional relationship exists where inadequate nutrition worsens fatigue and mood, which further perpetuates eating difficulties.
- Early intervention and family-centered support can help prevent the escalation of eating difficulties and their cascading effects on health outcomes.
- Clinicians should provide anticipatory guidance to newly diagnosed adolescents and families about the risk of eating difficulties and available management strategies.
What This Study Does Not Prove
This qualitative study does not establish the prevalence or incidence of eating difficulties beyond the 10% estimate in the literature. It cannot determine causality or the relative contribution of each identified factor (gastrointestinal, fatigue, chemosensory, psychological) to eating difficulties. The findings apply specifically to adolescents with ME/CFS; generalization to adults or children outside a specialist clinic setting is limited.
Tags
Symptom:PainFatigue
Phenotype:Pediatric
Method Flag:PEM Not DefinedNo ControlsSmall SampleExploratory Only
Metadata
- DOI
- 10.1177/1359104516646813
- PMID
- 27215228
- Review status
- Machine draft
- Evidence level
- Early hypothesis, preprint, editorial, or weak support
- Last updated
- 8 April 2026