FEEDING MATTERS
WHO WE ARE
Feeding Matters is the first organization in the world uniting the concerns of families with pediatric feeding’s leading advocates, experts, clinicians, and allied healthcare professionals to ignite unprecedented change to the system of care for Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD).
Defined as impaired oral intake that is not age-appropriate and is associated with medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and/or psychosocial dysfunction, pediatric feeding disorder is estimated to affect more children that other well-known childhood conditions such as Autism (1:54) and Cerebral Palsy (1:323) with estimated prevalence between 1:23 children and 1:37 children. For these children, eating, drinking, and swallowing are painful and frightening – ultimately affecting their behavioral, physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Yet, there is no functional system of care for PFD locally, nationally, or internationally.
As a 501c3 non-profit organization with a mission to further advances in PFD by accelerating identification, igniting research and promoting collaborative care, Feeding Matters accomplish this mission through innovative efforts of our network housed within the PFD Alliance. The PFD Alliance is an open access community of professionals, caregivers and partners facilitated by Feeding Matters comprised of four pillars: Education, Advocacy, Research and Family Support.
These pillars execute our strategic plan through the actions of committees within each pillar. This strategic plan is written with the input of the feeding community gathered during our yearly digital ideation and in-person or virtual symposium. The four pillars work collectively to execute the strategic plan while ensuring both professionals and caregiver viewpoints are represented.
MISSION
Furthering advances in pediatric feeding disorder by accelerating identification, igniting research, and
promoting collaborative care for children and families.
VISION
A world in which children with pediatric feeding disorder will thrive.
VALUES
Innovation: We are partners in the latest developments to advance the research and treatment of pediatric
feeding disorder.
Credibility.: We combine practical experience with a deep knowledge of the medical, social, and personal impacts of pediatric feeding disorder.
Collaboration: We work with healthcare professionals, families, and the community to ensure all facets of pediatric feeding disorder are addressed.
Determination: We are deeply committed to promoting awareness and understanding of pediatric feeding disorder and its impact on people’s lives.
Understanding: We provide perspective, context, and compassion for the children, families, and healthcare professionals impacted by pediatric feeding disorder every day.
1. Goday PS, Huh SY, Silverman A, et al. Pediatric Feeding Disorder: Consensus Definition and Conceptual Framework. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2019;68(1):124-129. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000002188
2. National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
3. Kovacic K, Rein, ScM LE, Bhagavatula P, Kommareddy S, Szabo A, Goday PS, Pediatric Feeding Disorder: A Nationwide Prevalence Study, The Journal of Pediatrics (2020), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.07.047.
Feeding Matters
7227 N 16th St
Ste 110
Phoenix, Arizona 85020