What is ARFID?
ARFID is an eating disorder. It differs from other eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorder. With ARFID, avoiding or restricting food is not driven by concerns about body weight or shape. There are different reasons why someone with ARFID may find certain foods or eating more generally difficult. These can include:
- Sensory sensitivities – the texture, appearance, smell or taste of certain foods may feel overwhelming, leading someone to avoid these foods and rely on a limited range of foods they feel comfortable eating.
- Fear of negative consequences – a distressing experience such as choking, vomiting or digestive discomfort can lead someone to fear that it will happen again. This may result in them avoiding certain foods or eating more generally.
- Low interest in eating – some people may struggle to recognise when they are hungry or simply don't have much of an appetite. This lack of interest can lead to a restricted intake of food overall and make eating feel difficult or like a chore.
Someone with ARFID may experience one or more of these. Like all eating disorders, ARFID affects everyone differently and may present differently from person to person.
ARFID can have an impact on both physical and mental health. Depending on the individual, restricted food intake may lead to weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, growth problems, or other health concerns. A limited range of manageable foods can also make situations such as socialising, eating out, and travelling more challenging and affect day-to-day life.
ARFID can affect people at any age. It can also be associated with neurodivergent people, including autistic people, people with ADHD, and those with sensory sensitivities. Some people may also experience anxiety alongside ARFID.
Is ARFID just picky eating?
While ARFID can sometimes look like extreme 'picky' or 'fussy' eating, there are important differences between the two. Picky or ‘fussy’ eating is common among children. Usually, children are still able to meet their nutritional needs during this time and grow out of the habit.
When a child’s picky eating seems severe, they don’t grow out of it, or they’re not growing or gaining weight as expected, it could be a sign of ARFID. If you’re a parent and are unsure, it could be worth speaking to your doctor to learn more and seek a diagnosis and support.
ARFID treatment
If you have been diagnosed with ARFID, you should be offered treatment and support. The support you receive will depend on your individual needs. It may involve different healthcare professionals.
- A dietitian can assess whether you are meeting your nutritional needs and advise on ways to address any nutritional deficiencies. This may include nutritional supplements, alongside support to gradually increase the range or amount of food you can eat.
- Speech and language therapists can offer support with eating, drinking, or swallowing difficulties.
- Psychological therapies may be part of your recommended treatment. Cognitive behavioural therapy (including approaches adapted specifically for ARFID) may help you understand and work with the difficulties you experience around food and eating.
- A psychologist or psychiatrist may also offer support with ARFID and any coexisting mental health difficulties.
If you are very unwell, you may need more intensive medical support or hospital treatment. Your healthcare team will advise on the level of support needed.
Nutrition support for ARFID
The first thing a dietitian is likely to do is assess your current diet to ensure you’re able to meet your body’s nutritional needs. They may recommend nutritional supplements to help you do this before supporting you with making changes and expanding your diet or habits.
Assessment, advice and support from an appropriately experienced dietitian is key. Your dietitian will be able to identify any nutritional deficiencies, advise how best to correct them given the challenges you face and provide much more detailed and personalised strategies to help.
If you’re seeking support for your child, the dietitian may also work with their school to help and will be able to offer guidance to the family. If you are a parent of a child with ARFID, know that this is not your fault and that support is available. If you’re ready to work with a dietitian, use our links below to find the right nutritional professional for you.
