Blending as a Treatment for Feeding Disorders: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Due to the increase in feeding disorder diagnoses, there is a growing need for interventions specific to children who have a feeding disorder. Research indicates that up to 26% of children exhibit some form of a feeding disorder. Blending, sometimes called stimulus or texture fading, is frequently employed as a means of increasing the acceptance of novel foods among children with feeding disorders. Described as the combination of two or more food items in a way that prevents separation, blending is recommended when the child avoids novel textures or flavors. The present study reviewed research published from 1998 to 2018 that treated feeding disorders using blending in a single case design with children. In addition to study quality, methods, and effects, procedures used to progressively introduce novel textures were of particular interest. Identified studies (n = 9), though they provide insight into practical considerations, are not sufficiently rigorous to support the use of the procedure. Implications for practice follow a description of findings.