Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) occurs when someone doesn’t eat enough to get proper energy or nutrition. Someone with ARFID might avoid eating due to sensory characteristics of foods like texture or smell, fear the consequences of eating, or not show interest in eating at all. Weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and developmental problems can occur as a result.

DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only and not to be used for self-diagnosis. If you or a loved one can relate to a number of features listed below, then please do use our therapist directory to find a psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist that is right for you to receive a professional diagnosis.

• An eating or feeding disturbance (e.g., apparent lack of interest in eating or food; avoidance based on the sensory characteristics of food such as texture and smell; concern about negative consequences of eating) as made apparent by consistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional and/or energy needs associated with one (or more) of the following:
• Significant weight loss (or failure to achieve expected weight gain or reduced growth in children).
• Significant nutritional deficiency.
• Dependence on tube feeding or oral nutritional supplements.
• Obvious interference with day to day functioning.
• The disorder often emerges in infancy and childhood. It’s diagnosed when the avoidance can’t be explained by lack of food availability or cultural practice. Medical problems, eating disorders, and mental health conditions must also be ruled out.

• People are often confused between picky eating and ARFID. Picky eating verges into a disorder when the person fails to meet their caloric or nutritional needs. They may not be able to gain weight, have an inappropriate weight for their height, or depend on supplements. If it begins to interfere with their functioning on a daily basis, they could have a disorder.
• ARFID is also distinct from anorexia; the food aversion that marks ARFID is not driven by fears around body image or gaining weight, as in the case of anorexia.

Please Note: This information is for educational purposes only and not to be used for self-diagnosis. If you or a loved one can relate to a number of features listed below, then please do use our therapist directory to find a psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist that is right for you to receive a professional diagnosis.

What factors can be contributing causes?

• Risk factors for ARFID include anxiety, OCD, and autism as well as gastrointestinal problems.
• People with autism spectrum conditions are much more likely to develop ARFID, as are those with ADHD and intellectual disabilities.
• Children who don’t outgrow normal picky eating, or in whom picky eating is severe, appear to be more likely to develop ARFID.
• Many children with ARFID also have a co-occurring anxiety disorder, and they are also at high risk for other psychiatric disorders.

• A general practitioner (GP) or psychologist can usually diagnose ARFID by asking questions about a person’s medical history and symptoms.
• The GP/psychologist will also inquire about a patient’s physical health to ensure that avoidant or restrictive eating behavior is not caused as a result of underlying medical conditions, eating disorder or mental health condition.
• The GP/psychologist will check the symptoms that the patient presents with against the standard criteria for ARFID before making a diagnosis.

Source NEDA: National Eating Disorder Association

What is the recommended treatment?

• ARFID can be addressed by a nutritionist and aided by a variety of clinicians, including pediatricians, gastroenterologists, and psychologists, to understand and address the root of the disorder.

• Preliminary estimates suggest that ARFID can affect up to 5% of children, and that boys are at a higher risk for developing the condition than girls. (Eating Recovery Centre)
• Between 5–14% of children in inpatient programs and as many as 22.5% of children in outpatient programs for eating disorders have now been diagnosed with ARFID.  (The Recovery Village).
• Recent research shows it affects about 9.2% of adult patients with eating disorders. (The Recovery Village).

If you are experiencing any of these signs, here are some activities you can do at home until you are able to consult a professional;

• Engage in creative outlets such as writing, painting, or music
• Keep a gratitude journal
• Talk to a family member or friend about how you are feeling
• Practice Mindfulness
• Practice Yoga
• Maintain a good sleep schedule 
• Recognise what you can and can’t handle