ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) manifests as an intense dislike of a specific food item, together with unpleasant physical symptoms when you see or smell a particular food (otherwise known as food aversion).
These reactions are typically triggered by emotions associated with food, or come up due to sensory issues such as taste, texture or smell.
Children with ARFID may lack interest in eating, have sensory issues with certain food items, and may eat a limited amount in one setting.
Adults with ARFID are also likely to stick to their food comfort zones to avoid certain sensory issues. This resource contains information about the condition, and ways it can be managed.
Signs of ARFID include:
- A long history of ‘selective eating’ since childhood Lack of interest in food and eating
- Lack of appetite
- Slow rate of eating
- Eating smaller portions
- Greater struggles around food
- Avoidance of foods because of dislike of colour, texture, smell, or taste
- Fear of choking, gagging, or vomiting
- Gastrointestinal complaints like bloating, heartburn, nausea, constipation
- Weight loss and signs of malnutrition
- Avoidance of situations of social eating
Types of ARFID include:
Avoidant – Individuals simply avoid certain types of foods in relation to sensory features, causing a sensitivity or overstimulation reaction.
These patients may feel sensitive to the smell of foods; textures, including soft foods or fruit and vegetables that have prickly or defined textures; or general appearance, including colour.
Aversive – Individuals whose food refusal is related to the Aversive type may experience fear-based reactions. Aversive ARFID evokes a fear of choking, nausea, vomiting, pain, and/or swallowing, forcing the individual to avoid the food altogether.
Restrictive – Individuals who experience Restrictive ARFID may show signs of little to no interest in food.
Restrictive ARFID can make one forget to eat altogether, show signs of a low appetite, or get extremely distracted during mealtimes.
Treatment options:
ARFID was only recognised as a food disorder in 2013, therefore treatment options are limited.
See your doctor as soon as you can if you notice the following in yourself or your child:
- Eating a small range/amount of food
- Regularly showing little or no interest in food
- Change in mood or behaviour, especially around food and eating.
For parents generally, you should let your child pick what to eat as much as possible and definitely do not force or push for foods that your child doesn’t like.
It may be helpful to see an Occupational Therapist if they’re having swallowing or gagging issues.
A nutritionist can also help if they’ve got a restricted diet to the point where they’re not getting enough nutrition or vitamins, but make sure that the advice you receive is about alternative food sources to get vitamins from, rather than ways to force your child to eat the avoidant food item.