• Eating problems and emotional disturbances
• Clinically significant restrictive eating leading to weight loss, or a lack of weight gain
• Nutritional deficiencies and related complications, electrolyte imbalances, vitamin deficiencies
• Reliance on tube feeding and oral nutritional supplements
• Disturbances in psychosocial functioning
• Low mood, irritability, anxiety, apathy, difficulty concentrating, social isolation
• Electrolyte abnormalities and low bone density

Research has also identified behaviours and difficulties such as:

• Food avoidance and restrictive eating, not being able to eat solids
• Selective eating since childhood
• Decreased appetite
• Abdominal pain, constipation and gastrointestinal symptoms
• A heightened fear of vomiting and/or choking
• Possible food texture issues
• Generalised anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Difficulties with sustained attention and visual-spatial skills
• Difficulties sleeping and managing change in routine
• A nervous system sensitive to change
• Lower quality of life, avoiding social situations that involve food
• Stressful mealtimes
• Disruption to daily activities such as school, participating in social activities

There may be some body image concerns, though different to those seen in cases of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. In children, there may be a fear of physical illness related to shape/weight for example, high cholesterol and/or obesity leading to heart disease. Research has noted that some children were underweight due to feeding and eating disturbances had reported teasing from peers. Those with ARFID may be less likely to report typical eating disorder behaviours such as purging and excessive exercise.

• Current eating behaviour and persistence of the problem
• Interest in food and eating
• Sensory issues
• Fear/aversion related to eating behaviour
• Nutritional adequacy of intake/ consequences
• Oral supplement or tube feed dependency
• Social and emotional functioning
• Personal circumstances and context
• Whether primary eating disorders and weight/shape concerns are a factor
• Presence of other medical or psychological disorder

A diagnosis of ARFID would not be given if the nutritional problems are better explained by a lack of available food or a cultural practice/tradition (such as religious fasting), or if the person has substantial and profound dissatisfaction with body shape or weight (such as in anorexia nervosa, or bulimia nervosa, or if the clinical problem is better accounted for by an existing medical condition or another mental disorder.

As with all eating disorders, there is no know one size fits all treatment. Please see the Bodywhys Treatment Guide for information on treatment pathways. Sourcing a dietitian with knowledge of sensory issues around food and with knowledge of ARFID may be helpful. Paediatric psychology/psychotherapy the for child and family, alongside a paediatric occupational therapist and a developmental paediatrician, are also options to consider.

• Learning how to cope with anxiety linked to eating or past traumatic food-related incidents
• Addressing psycho-social impairment
• Addressing nutritional imbalance, malnutrition
• Expanding the range of foods consumed, without threats or force-feeding
• Acceptance-based interoceptive/exteroceptive exposure treatment, to understand bodily sensations and needs
• Building confidence outside of hospital, for both families and the person

Recent studies have highlighted:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for ARFID (CBT-AR) – developed at Massachusetts General Hospital
• Family-Based Therapy (FBT) – modified for ARFID
• Parent-Facilitated Behavioural Treatment (PBT-ARFID)
• Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions adapted for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (SPACE-ARFID)

CBT-AR Patient and Family Workbook (PDF) – by Jennifer J. Thomas, PhD & Kamryn Eddy, PhD.

Workbook link posted with permission

Note: This is a large download: 53 pages (15MB file).

Unknown factors

Currently, little is known about effective treatments and interventions and the course of illness for individuals who develop ARFID. There is limited research on the how and whether picky eating contributes to ARFID. There is a lack of systematic data on the dietary characteristics of the disorder. Other unknown factors include the age at which ARFID develops and whether or not it presents as a risk factor for later-onset eating disorders. There is not enough research to determine the extent to which ‘picky eating’ may play a role in the experiences of children or adults with ARFID.

Adults

Research suggests that adults affected by achalasia, celiac sprue, eosinophilic esophagitis, and inflammatory bowel disease may also experience ARFID.