Physical consequences of ARFID vary due to an individual's age. Common symptoms are:

-  Gastroenterological distress
- Inadequate or slowed growth
- Low weight
- Decreased appetite
- Abdominal pain when eating
- Nutrient deficiencies

Grinnell College

Kalamazoo College

Northwestern University

A disorder commonly found in children, ARFID can be described as extremely picky eating, though fear foods differ significantly from those with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Although ARFID involves food restriction and thus shares some features with anorexia nervosa, the fear and restriction surrounding food is not due to concerns about weight or body image. 

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Eating disorders, particularly conditions like bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa, are associated with a wide range of severe and adverse health consequences.

Adverse Health Consequences of Eating Disorders

Feillet, F., Bocquet, A., Briend, A., Chouraqui, J.P, Darmaun, D., Frelut, M.L., Giradedt, J.P., Guimber, D., Hankard, R., Lapillonne, A., Peretti, N., Rozé, J.C., Simeoni, U., Turck, D., Dupont, C. (2019). Nutritional risks of ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorders) and related behavior. Archives de Pédiatrie. 26(7), 437-441. 

Nutritional Risks of ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder) and related behavior

Bulimia nervosa. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2023, January 31). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/eating-disorders/bulimia-nervosa 

Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Pica. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22944-pica 

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2018, May 5). Binge-eating disorder. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/binge-eating-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353627 

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2020a, October 14). Rumination syndrome. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rumination-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20377330 

Meczekalski, B., Podfigurna-Stopa, A., & Katulski, K. (2013). Long-term consequences of anorexia nervosa. Maturitas, 75(3), 215–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2013.04.014

References for Eating Disorders: Consequences

Bourne, L., Bryant-Waugh, R., Cook, J., & Mandy, W. (2020). Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder: A systematic scoping review of the current literature. Psychiatry Research, 288, 112961.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: A Systematic Scoping Review of the Current Literature

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Consequences

Although the data surrounding specific risk factors for ARFID is unclear, some patterns are seen among those who develop the disorder. ARFID is most commonly seen among children, and tends to be more prevalent in males than in females. 

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Demographic Risk Factors

The prevalence of ARFID is largely understudied, and estimates vary wildly. In clinical cohorts on patients with eating disorders, there is an estimated prevalence of 1.5% to 64%. In the general population, the range is estimated to be from <1% to 1.5%, with an estimated 0.3% prevalence among adults. 

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Prevalence

The DSM-5 has recognized three types of ARFID based on the driving forces behind the avoidant/restrictive eating. However, it is important to note that these driving forces may coincide with one another and that there are likely additional factors that may contribute to the development and progression of ARFID: 

1. Lack of interest
2. Sensory avoidance
3. Fear of aversive consequences

Types and Driving Forces of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Screening and diagnostic tests for ARFID are relatively new, but data supports the validity of the following tests: 

- Pica, ARFID, and Rumination Disorder Interview (PARDI)
- Eating Disorder Examination - ARFID Module (EDE-ARFID)
- Eating Disturbances in Youth Questionnaire (EDY-Q)
- Nine Item ARFID Screen (NIAS)

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Diagnostic/Screening Test

Several mental and physical health conditions are commonly comorbid with ARFID, and may potentially contribute to its symptoms: 

- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Autism spectrum disorder 
- Internet gaming disorder
- Anxiety disorders 
- Abdominal pain or other somatic issues
- Drug use

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Comorbid Conditions

Although ARFID shares many similarities with other eating disorders, it also differs in various ways. Unlike most other eating disorders, ARFID is not related to body image or weight concerns. Furthermore, ARFID tends to be more persistent than other eating disorders which commonly develop in adolescence or early adulthood, while ARFID frequently presents in children or even infants. ARFID patients generally tend to report a poorer mental health related quality of life in comparison to patients with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, but are also at a lower risk of comorbid mood disorders.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) vs. Other Eating Disorders

While ARFID is similar to Anorexia-Nervosa in that it involves heavy food restriction, those with ARFID do not intend to lose weight, nor are they anxious about their body size or shape. Therefore, the dramatic weight loss exhibited by the disorder is unintentional. Some other consequences of the disorder are:
* Malnutrition
* Loss of appetite
* Stomach cramping
* Lanugo
* Heart failure as a result of malnutrition
* Loss of menstrual cycle
* Abnormal lab results

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: Consequences

The consequences of Pica vary greatly as the non-food items ingested by those afflicted with Pica vary in their ingestability and toxicity. Depedning on what is eaten (ex: ice), Pica may even be harmless. However, some common and severe consequences are listed below:

* Damage to teeth by ingested matter
* Blockage of the digestive tract by ingested matter
* Contraction of illness/disease from ingested matter
* Death from toxic ingested matter

Pica: Consequences

Because Rumination Disorder is involuntary, it is difficult to prevent its consequences without receiving medical treatment. Some physical consequences of the disorder are:

* Malnutrition
* Unintended and/or unhealthy weight loss
* Bad breath
* Damage to teeth by regurgitated stomach acid 

Rumination Disorder: Consequences

Because binge eating disorder involves overconsumption of food, the consequences of binge eating disorder differ from other eating disorders, whose consequences occur due to lack of/restriction of food. Some possible consequences of binge eating disorder are:
* Obesity
* Type 2 Diabetes
* Heart disease
* Joint problems
* Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Binge Eating Disorder: Consequences

Bulimia nervosa is linked to numerous severe health problems. The compensatory behaviors associated with the disorder can lead to serious medical issues, including kidney failure, heart failure, and significant tooth decay.

Health Consequences of Bulimia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa leads to numerous severe health problems, making it one of the most lethal mental disorders. Significant negative outcomes include bone loss, heart failure, kidney failure, amenorrhea (the cessation of menstruation), and reduced function of the gonads. In extreme cases, these complications can result in death.

Health Consequences of Anorexia Nervosa

Analyze the following clinical case. Based on the patient's symptoms, explain the likely underlying behaviors and the physiological mechanisms connecting those behaviors to each of the observed health issues.

Learn Before

Related