What is ARFID?
What is ARFID? Let’s explore this misunderstood condition together. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder characterised by a persistent failure to meet nutritional or energy needs. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID does not stem from body image concerns but rather an aversion to certain types of food due to sensory issues, fear of choking, or a lack of interest in eating altogether. ARFID can lead to significant weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and psychosocial challenges, particularly in children. It is more than “picky eating” and can have serious health consequences if left unaddressed. Those of you reading this with a child with ARFID will no doubt be reading this and relating! Please help us to raise awareness by sharing this resource.
Common Myths about ARFID
One of the biggest misconceptions about ARFID is that it is simply an extension of typical childhood picky eating. While many children go through phases of fussiness around food, ARFID is a clinically recognised disorder that persists beyond childhood and can lead to more severe nutritional and emotional issues. Another myth is that children with ARFID are simply defiant or lazy when it comes to eating. In reality, ARFID is not a choice but a complex disorder often rooted in anxiety, fear, or sensory sensitivity.
Symptoms of ARFID
The symptoms of ARFID can vary widely, but some common signs include:
- Avoiding foods based on texture, taste, or appearance.
- Eating very small portions or refusing to eat entire food groups.
- Fear of choking, vomiting, or experiencing digestive discomfort after eating.
- Limited variety in diet, with reliance on a few “safe” foods.
- Significant weight loss or difficulty maintaining a healthy weight for their age and height. Worth noting – some children with ARFID can be normal weight or overweight if their safe foods are highly calorific.
- Nutritional deficiencies that may lead to fatigue, hair loss, or weakened immunity.
- Social withdrawal, particularly in situations that involve food, such as parties or family meals.
In children, ARFID can lead to developmental delays due to insufficient nutrition. It can also result in heightened stress for families, especially when mealtimes become a daily struggle.
How to Get an ARFID Diagnosis
If you suspect that your child might have ARFID, it is important to seek professional help. The first step is usually to consult your GP, who can refer you to a specialist, such as a paediatrician, dietitian, or psychologist. Diagnosis typically involves a thorough medical and psychological assessment. Professionals may assess your child’s medical history, eating patterns, and nutritional status. Sometimes, additional tests are required to rule out other conditions that might explain the symptoms, such as gastrointestinal issues.
In the UK, ARFID is recognised under the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria, and services such as the NHS and private clinics may offer tailored treatments. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent long-term health impacts and ensure the child receives appropriate support.
Supporting a Child with ARFID
Supporting a child with ARFID requires patience, understanding, and collaboration with healthcare professionals. Here are some steps parents and caregivers can take:
- Create a Safe Mealtime Environment: Reduce pressure around eating. Avoid using food as a reward or punishment, and try to keep mealtimes stress-free.
- Encourage Gradual Exposure: Work with a therapist or dietitian to introduce new foods gradually. Avoid overwhelming the child with large portions of unfamiliar foods.
- Listen and Validate: Understand that your child’s food aversions are real and often anxiety-driven. Avoid dismissing their feelings or forcing them to eat.
- Consult a Specialist: In some cases, feeding therapy with a speech and language therapist may be recommended.
- Ensure Nutritional Support: A dietitian can help create a plan to ensure your child is receiving adequate nutrition, even with a limited diet. Supplements may also be necessary in some cases.
Join our webinar: An Introduction to Understanding & Supporting ARFID
We are delighted to welcome Dr Gillian Harris and Sarah Mason to improve our understanding of ARFID – Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.
Often parents and carers of children who struggle with ARFID are left without the support they need. Advice is often contradictory or unhelpful and can increase their feelings of guilt, anxiety and frustration.
This webinar is ideal for parents and professionals alike, who support a child or young person with feeding and eating difficulties.
Gillian Greville-Harris and Sarah Mason will be delivering this introductory webinar covering:
– How children learn to like foods and why children with ARFID have difficulties with this.
– Understanding that the rejection of foods is not the parents’ fault. It is based on the child’s high sensory sensitivity, fear of new foods and anxiety.
– How to develop stress free mealtimes by addressing the child’s sensory needs and anxieties.
– Who might be able to help families and working in partnership with schools-
