ARFID: A brief evidence review for Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2024 (Beat)

Summary

Avoidant/restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a severe feeding and eating disorder marked by food avoidance and/or restricted food intake. Individuals with ARFID can restrict the amount of food eaten, and therefore do not get enough calories, or they can restrict the range of foods eaten and therefore do not get all the nutrients needed for maintaining health.

ARFID differs from the generalised term “picky eating”. Many people may experience picky eating at some point in their lives. Individuals with ARFID experience severe health and psychological consequences resulting from their disordered eating, which is not the case for picky eating. Also, some individuals with ARFID are not picky about the types of foods they eat, but they limit the amount of food they eat due to low appetite or lack of interest in food.

Referrals for ARFID are increasing, but health services lack an evidence base to support individuals with ARFID effectively